The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting directed the blocking of 22 YouTube channels, three Twitter accounts, one website and one Facebook page.
According to the ministry, the YouTube channels posted fake news on various subjects such as the Indian Armed Forces, Jammu and Kashmir.
“False thumbnails were used, title and thumbnail of the videos were frequently altered to increase the virality of content on social media.
Since December 2021, the ministry has issued orders to block 78 YouTube-based news channels.
The new IT Rules, which were notified in February 2021, have been criticised for giving unprecedented powers of censorship to the government, including the right to remove content.
According to the I&B ministry, the Indian YouTube channels that were blocked are ARP News, AOP News, LDC News, SarkariBabu, SS ZONE Hindi, Smart News, News23Hindi, Online Khabar, DP news, PKB News, KisanTak, Borana News, Sarkari News Update, Bharat Mausam, RJ ZONE 6, Exam Report, Digi Gurukul, दिनभरकीखबरें.
The website that was blocked was ‘Dunya Mere Aagy’, while the Twitter accounts Ghulam NabiMadni, DunyaMeryAagy, Haqeeqat TV will also be blocked.