The Information and Broadcasting Ministry on Tuesday shocked me as it has ordered the blocking of 20 channels on YouTube as well as two websites for spreading anti-India propaganda and fake news. The is claimed to be the first-ever application of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
“The channels and the websites belong to a coordinated disinformation network operating from Pakistan and spreading fake news about various sensitive subjects related to India,” the information and broadcasting ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. Of the 20 YouTube channels, the information and broadcasting minister said 15 were run by the NPG.
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The minister also tweeted, “We have taken strict action against cross-border activities aimed to spread unrest in India by way of spreading fake news and propaganda.” Government sources said that while the ministry of electronics and information technology has been identifying and acting against individual used-generated content, this is the first time the I&B ministry has taken punitive action under the IT Rules.