Utilizing the emergency powers under the IT Rules, 2021, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, 2021, vide two separate orders on 22.04.2022, issued directions for blocking of sixteen (16) YouTube based news channels and one (1) Facebook account.
The blocked social media accounts include six Pakistan based and ten India based YouTube news channels, having a cumulative viewership of over 68 crore. It was observed that 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. None of the digital news publishers had furnished information to the Ministry as required under rule 18 of the IT Rules, 2021.
Nature of Content
The content published by some of the India based YouTube channels referred to a community as terrorists, and incited hatred among the members of various religious communities. Such content was found to have the potential to create communal disharmony, and disturb public order.
Multiple India based YouTube channels were observed to publish unverified news and videos having the potential to create panic among various sections of the society. Examples include false claims related to announcement of a pan-India lockdown due to COVID-19 thereby threatening the migrant workers, and fabricated claims alleging threats to certain religious communities, etc. Such content was observed to be detrimental to public order in the country.
YouTube channels based in Pakistan were found to have been used in a coordinated manner to post fake news about India on various subjects such as the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir, and India’s foreign relations in the light of situation in Ukraine, etc. The content of these channels was observed to be completely false, and sensitive from the perspective of national security, sovereignty and integrity of India, and India’s friendly relations with foreign States.
On 23rd April 2022, the Ministry had also advised private TV news channels against making false claims and using scandalous headlines. Government of India remains committed to ensure a safe and secure information environment in India across print, television and online media.
Details of Social Media Accounts Blocked
YouTube Channels
| Sl. No | YouTube Channel Name | Media Statistics |
| 1. | Saini Education Research | 5,870,029 Views59,700 Subscribers |
| 2. | Hindi Mein Dekho | 26,047,357 Views3,53,000 Subscribers |
| 3. | Technical Yogendra | 8,019,691 Views2,90,000 Subscribers |
| 4. | Aaj te news | 3,249,179 ViewsSubscribers: NA |
| 5. | SBB News | 161,614,244 ViewsSubscribers: NA |
| 6. | Defence News24x7 | 13,356,737 ViewsSubscribers: NA |
| 7. | The study time | 57,634,260 Views3,65,000 Subscribers |
| 8. | Latest Update | 34,372,518 ViewsSubscribers: NA |
| 9. | MRF TV LIVE | 1,960,852 Views26,700 Subscribers |
| 10. | Tahaffuz-E-Deen India | 109,970,287 Views7,30,000 Subscribers |
| Total | Views: 42,20,95,15425,54,400 Subscribers | |
| Pakistan based YouTube channels | ||
| 11. | AjTak Pakistan | 6,04,342 ViewsSubscribers: NA |
| 12. | Discover Point | 10,319,900 Views70,600 Subscribers |
| 13. | Reality Checks | 2,220,519 ViewsSubscribers: NA |
| 14. | Kaiser Khan | 49,628,946 Views4,70,000 Subscribers |
| 15. | The Voice of Asia | 32,438,352 viewsSubscribers: NA |
| 16. | Bol Media Bol | 167,628,947 Views1,1,60,000 Subscribers |
| Total | Views: 26,28,41,006Subscribers: 17,00,600 |
Facebook Account
| SI. No. | Facebook Account | No. of Followers |
| 1 | Tahaffuz E Deen Media Services INDIA | 23,039 |