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104 Youtube channels blocked for spreading misinformation: Govt tells Rajya Sabha
Earlier this week, on the direction of the ministry, YouTube blocked three channels having over 30 crore views and 33 lakh subscribers for allegedly propagating misinformation regarding the Supreme Court of India, the Chief Justice of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the election commission of India
The government has blocked 104 YouTube channels and 45 YouTube videos for providing “false” and “misleading” information that could lead to rumours or fear-mongering, minister of information and broadcasting Anurag Thakur told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
Earlier this week, on the direction of the ministry, YouTube blocked three channels having over 30 crore views and 33 lakh subscribers for allegedly propagating misinformation regarding the Supreme Court of India, the Chief Justice of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the election commission of India.
Also read: Anurag Thakur backs norms for TV channels to broadcast public service content
The I&B minister was responding to a question on the spread of ‘fake news’ circulating through digital platforms posed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha member Jugalsinh Lokhandwala.
“We have taken action against channels that have attempted to mislead and create fear and divisions in society under Section 69A of the IT Act,” Thakur said.
“We have banned 104 YouTube channels and blocked 45 individual videos, four Facebook accounts and two posts, three accounts on Instagram, five Twitter accounts, and three podcasts,” the minister stated in the Rajya Sabha, adding, “We have also taken strict action against two apps and six websites as well. The ministry will not hesitate to take such strict action to preserve the country’s security.”
On the question of misleading advertisements of sexual nature targeting children asked by BJP Rajya Sabha member Rakesh Sinha, Thakur said that any such advertisement which flouts rules is identified promptly, and a notice is sent to the creators. He underlined the age categories created for OTT content under the IT rules 2021, namely above seven years, above 13 years, over 16 years, and the adult category.
“Everyone can choose which age group of children they want to cater to. There is artistic freedom through this provision, and the viewer can choose which ‘age category’ of content they wish to consume. Along with this, we have formed rules so that action can be taken against those who flout these categories, and if a program is brought to our attention in the future, we will take action against it,” the I&B minister said.
In a written reply to Rajya Sabha member D. Veerendra Heggade on the grievance mechanism for digital news, Thakur stated, “The rules also provide for a three-level grievance redressal mechanism to address complaints/grievances relating to violation by digital news publishers of the code of ethics and taking action thereupon.”
“There is no requirement for registration by digital news publishers. Under IT rules 2021, they have to furnish information in the specified format to the ministry for communication and coordination purposes,” Thakur added.
