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Centre Blocks Two Kashmir News Websites, 20 YouTube Channels On Grounds Of National Security
Writer: Devyani Madaik
A media enthusiast, Devyani believes in learning on the job and there is nothing off limits when it comes to work. Writing is her passion and she is always ready for a debate as well.
India, 21 Dec 2021 11:01 AM GMT
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While he is a massive sports fanatic, his interest also lies in mainstream news and nitpicking trending and less talked about everyday issues.
Creatives : Devyani Madaik
A media enthusiast, Devyani believes in learning on the job and there is nothing off limits when it comes to work. Writing is her passion and she is always ready for a debate as well.
The government said the websites and channels belong to a coordinated disinformation network operated from Pakistan. The network is circulating fake news about various subjects sensitive to the country, including Kashmir, the Indian Army, international relations, minority communities, Ram Mandir, General Bipin Rawat, etc.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B), on Monday (December 20), has ordered restricting public access to two news Kashmir-related and 20 YouTube channels and blocking them on the grounds of national security of India.
Websites, Channels Restricted
I&B Secretary Apurva Chandra issued two separate orders for blocking the two websites, Kashmir Global and Kashmir Watch.
The 20 YouTube channels include - The Khalsa Tv, Fictional, Go Global, Kaneez Fatima, Zain Ali Official, Mian Imran, Najam Ul Hassan, Bajwa, Sadaf Durrani, Official, The Naked Truth, Punch Line, International Web News, News 24, 48 news, Historical Facts, Punjab Viral, Naya Pakistan Global and Cover Story, etc., the ministry listed.
Chandra said the sites and the channels were detrimental to the national security and integrity of the country and fall under the ambit of the IT rules.
Network Operated From Pakistan
The ministry said the websites and channels mentioned belong to a coordinated disinformation network operated from Pakistan. The network is circulating fake news about various subjects sensitive to the country.
Information Published To Create Disharmony
They have published divisive content in an organised manner on topics related to the Union Territory, the Indian Army, international relations, minority communities in India, Ram Mandir, General Bipin Rawat, and so forth.
"They also posted content related to the farmers' protest, Citizenship (Amendment) Act, NRC, with intentions to incite the minorities against the Government of India," the ministry added.
The sites ran an anti-India disinformation campaign involving The Naya Pakistan Group (NPG), having a network of YouTube channels and other standalone YouTube channels not associated with NPG. Many of these channels were being operated by anchors of Pakistani news outlets.
The channels had a combined subscriber base of over 35 lakh, and their videos had over 55 crore views. The government said all the articles and videos posted were factually incorrect.
Invoked Rule 16 Of IT Act
According to the Hindustan Times, this is the first time the ministry has invoked the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The power has been utilised under Rule 16 of the Act.
Earlier, only the ministry of electronics and information technology or the telecom department could issue the order under the IT Act and the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951, respectively.
Under the new rules notified in February, the government can block public access to news content under section 69(A) in the interest of the nation's sovereignty, integrity, and safety. The secretary holds power to order the content's takedown with immediate effect immediately.
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