PIB Unit Bans 3 YouTube-Based News Channels For Misinformation

Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) fact check unit has busted three YouTube-based news channels that were spreading misinformation in India. 

The three YouTube channels–News Headlines, Sarkari Update, Aaj Tak Live cumulatively have around 33 Lakh subscribers and their video content is being watched by 30 Cr+ times.

Importantly, this is the first time when PIB has detected YouTube channels spreading false information. The above YouTube channels have allegedly spread misinformation about the apex court, chief justice of India, government schemes, electronic voting machines and farm loan waivers. 

Some of the fake news spread by these channels include the Supreme Court’s comment on future elections, centre giving out monies to the general public with bank accounts, Aadhar and PAN cards, and ban on electronic voting machines, among others. 

“The YouTube channels were observed to be using fake and sensational thumbnails with logos of TV channels and images of their news anchors to mislead the viewers to believe that the news was authentic,” said PIB.  

As per the PIB statement, these YouTube channels displayed adverts on their videos and also monetised (on the platform) by spreading false information. 

The PIB’s move is on the back of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) banning more than 100 YouTube channels in the last one year. 

In August, the MIB blocked eight YouTube channels, one Facebook account, and two Facebook posts under the IT rules 2021 for spreading false information. 

The eight channels that were banned include–Loktantra TV, U&V TV, AM Razvi, Gouravshali Pawan Mithilanchal, SeeTop5TH, Sarkari Update, Sab Kuch Dekho, and Pakistan-based News ki Dunya.

Back then, the MIB said that the above YouTube channels were displaying adverts on their videos and spreading false content that is detrimental to the country’s public order and India’s foreign relations.

In July, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said that the centre banned 94 YouTube channels and 19 social media accounts during 2021-July 2022 for spreading disinformation and detrimental content to the country’s sovereignty and integrity. 

He further informed that 747 websites were also abolished for spreading misinformation.