Indian govt blocks 16 Youtube channels to stop fake-news

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting suspended 16 Youtube channels. The step is taken to “promote falsehoods relevant to India’s national security, international relations, and public order.” Reportedly, Six of the 16 restricted channels were situated in Pakistan, while the rest were in India. The suspended Youtube channels and the Facebook account had a combined audience of over 68 crores and were distributing “false, unverified information. The same was resulting in causing fear, foment communal strife, and disturb public order in India.” As per a release published by the Indian government, “these channels were used to spread fake news over social media on matters related to national security, India’s

foreign relations, communal harmony in the country, and public order.” This comes just two days after the Ministry issued a strong advisory to all private TV channels on Saturday, citing the violence in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri last week, the Russia-ukraine conflict and “certain news debates”.