After 16 YouTube channels blocked, I&B minister says ‘strict action’ will be taken against ‘fake news’

Union minister of information and broadcasting, Anurag Thakur, said on Tuesday that “strict action” will be taken against those who are trying to spread “propaganda, fake news, myths and fear”, Indian Express reported.

This came a day after the government blocked 16 YouTube channels and a Facebook account for allegedly spreading disinformation related to India’s national security, foreign relations and public order.

“Central government supports freedom of speech but no one has the right to divide the nation, or spread misinformation,” Thakur said, according to ANI.

Speaking about the block on the YouTube channels – six of which were allegedly operating from Pakistan – the minister said it was a “clear message” for those spreading misinformation inside and outside the country.

“We are not against the use of digital media for taking the right information to the people. We welcome that. Fake news also impacts the mainstream media...It is hard for a common person to differentiate between right and wrong,” he said.

Since December last year, the central government has blocked several YouTube channels and social media accounts citing disinformation regarding India’s national security and anti-India content, among other reasons. In most cases, the government has invoked emergency provisions of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.