Govt strikes against fake news; blocks 22 YouTube channels, including 4 based in Pakistan
India TV NewsThe government has blocked 22 YouTube based news channels and several social media accounts for spreading fake news. According to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, the four Pakistan based YouTube news channels used logos of TV news channels & false thumbnails to mislead viewers. "The blocked YouTube channels had a cumulative viewership of over 260 crore, and were used to spread fake news, and coordinated disinformation over social media on subjects sensitive from the perspective of national security, India’s foreign relations, and public order," I&B Minister said in a statement. The government has since December 2021 issued directions for blocking of 78 YouTube based news channels and several other social media accounts on grounds related to national security, sovereignty and integrity of India, public order, etc.