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A Ban on Fake YouTube Channels That Mislead Users

In a move to prevent users from being misled by fake YouTube channels, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has asked all Indian ISPs to ban such channels.

According to the PIB, these channels were using fake and sensational thumbnails with logos of TV news channels and images of their anchors to spread false and misleading information in India. It also claimed that these channels monetised misinformation and distorted facts. Here we will discuss about rajkotupdates.news:a-ban-on-fake-youtube-channels-that-mislead-users-the-ministry-said.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has imposed a ban on fake YouTube channels that mislead users

Continuing its efforts to curb fake news and misinformation, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has imposed a ban on six YouTube channels that are spreading misinformation. These channels were found to be operating as part of a coordinated disinformation network and had nearly 20 lakh subscribers. Their videos were viewed over 51 crore times, the government said in a statement on Thursday.

These channels were using sensational and clickbait thumbnails to peddle fake news pertaining to the President, Prime Minister, Union Ministers and the Election Commission, the press release stated. The fact check unit of the Information & Broadcasting ministry released six separate Twitter threads with over 100 fact-checks to counter the fraudulent content that was being spread on these websites.

The fact-check unit also found that the channels were peddling fake news about the Indian elections, proceedings in the Supreme Court and Parliament of India and the functioning of the government. They were also spreading hateful and derogatory content against certain religious groups, the statement read.

As a result of this, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had asked all Indian Internet service providers to take immediate action against these channels. This will ensure that Indian netizens are not misled by false and misleading information on social media.

This is the second time that PIB has imposed such a ban on YouTube channels, which were being used to spread misinformation and fake news. Last month, the Ministry had asked YouTube to ban three channels that were promoting fake news on welfare initiatives and had made false and sensational claims.

The fact-check unit also discovered that these channels were using sensational and fake thumbnails to mislead users into believing that their content was authentic. They were also spreading disinformation on issues pertaining to the government’s Aadhar Card, PAN card, bank accounts, ban on EVMs, etc. They were using images of television news anchors and logos of TV channels to spread fake news, the release stated.

The Ministry has asked all Indian ISPs to ban such channels (rajkotupdates.news:a-ban-on-fake-youtube-channels-that-mislead-users-the-ministry-said)

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has asked all Indian Internet Service Providers to ban all fake YouTube channels that mislead users. The order comes in the wake of several complaints against these channels. The ministry has also asked YouTube to ensure that the users are aware of these channels and know that they are not genuine.

The move is part of the Government’s initiative to curb fake news and misinformation online. It is also aimed at protecting Indian netizens from being misled by fake and defamatory content.

According to the Indian government, these channels are part of a coordinated disinformation network operated from Pakistan and spread fake news about various sensitive subjects related to India. The ministry claimed that these videos were divisive and made false claims on topics like Kashmir, Indian Army, minority communities in India, Ram Mandir, General Bipin Rawat and others.

It was also found that some of these YouTube channels were being run by anchors of Pakistani news channels. The ministry said that these channels had a combined subscriber base of over 35 lakh and their videos were viewed more than 55 crore times.

These channels were not just peddling fake news but also spreading anti-India propaganda against the country. For example, Sabir Shakir, a Pakistani journalist and columnist, claimed that a glacier in Uttarakhand broke up and caused devastation in the region. He had no facts to back his claim and he was only trying to denigrate the Indian army.

In addition, some of these channels had uploaded content that was threatening national security and incited violence against India. They also posted a number of posts that were critical of the Modi regime.

Under the Modi government, social networks and Internet platforms have been subject to strict censorship by government agencies. This has led to a major battle between the authorities and tech giants.

As a result, big tech companies have been stripped of safe harbor protections and compelled to log user data constantly and allow the government on-demand access. This has allowed Indian authorities to remove content that is perceived as threatening to national security or inciting political activism.

The ban is part of the Government’s initiative to curb fake news and misinformation

To ban is to prohibit, forbid, or bar. It is a common term in English that comes from the Old English word baan, which means “to summon, proclame, or curse.”

Disinformation campaigns and hyperpartisan content online have become increasingly prevalent as technology and social media have changed the way people receive information. The proliferation of such content can lead to a range of negative consequences for citizens, including increased distrust of official sources and news outlets.

Many governments have taken action to curb disinformation and online dissent. Some governments have imposed laws that compel digital platforms to remove certain online content. Others have facilitated public awareness efforts or trained citizens to identify and respond to online misinformation.

In India, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting recently announced that it will ban fake YouTube channels that mislead users. These channels use fake, clickbait and sensational thumbnails to create misleading video clips that drive traffic to their channel. These channels also try to monetize their videos by charging ad fees from their subscribers.

The Government’s move comes as part of a comprehensive initiative to curb fake news and misinformation on social media. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had asked all Indian Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to ban these channels.

It is important for media companies to monitor their content carefully and impose strict policies on their channels to prevent them from spreading fake news. This will help to strengthen the credibility of media platforms and ensure that they are doing all they can to fight false information.

Another step that can be taken to counter the spread of disinformation is to encourage governments and media organizations to provide their audience with more accurate, truthful and unbiased information. This will not only reduce the influence of disinformation but will also increase the reach and impact of reputable news organizations.

In April 2020, Google launched a new fact-checking policy to combat the spread of coronavirus misinformation on its platform and partner with fact-checkers across the world. This policy aims to tackle content that contradicts World Health Organization (WHO) or local health authorities’ guidance on issues related to the treatment, prevention, diagnostic or transmission of coronavirus.

The ban is aimed at protecting Indian netizens

A ban on a website or a platform can be a form of censorship. Whether a government block social media websites or imposes new regulations on internet service providers, it limits the ability of users to express themselves online. This is a major concern in India, where internet freedom is under threat from a combination of censorship and national security measures.

For example, in June, the Indian government blocked 59 Chinese apps like TikTok citing concerns about national security and data privacy. The decision was met with widespread criticism, and it was only the latest sign that India is waging an unjustified campaign of Internet censorship.

This year, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also imposed a ban on fake YouTube channels that mislead users. The move is part of the Government’s effort to curb fake news and misinformation.

The government has argued that blocking fake YouTube channels can help prevent users from falling prey to fraudulent content. It has also urged ISPs to take steps to filter out these channels.

While the ban has a legitimate basis, it is flawed by the fact that it targets users who are not guilty of any crime. The Ministry has cited Section 69A of the IT Act as its authority, which allows the government to block public access to websites in certain circumstances.

In a country where the internet is used as a primary source of information, such restrictions are against Indian citizens’ human rights. TikTok dances, for example, are a form of expression protected under international treaties to which India is a party. Similarly, videos that promote protests or defy censorship are protected by the same standards.

While the government has the right to block websites and apps that pose a threat to its interests, it should use this power sparingly. For instance, it should strengthen safeguards to protect users’ personal data, which is a constitutionally protected right in India. It should also refrain from selectively censoring Internet content and should make clear that it does not intend to limit access to TikTok. To know more about: rajkotupdates.news:a-ban-on-fake-youtube-channels-that-mislead-users-the-ministry-said just follow us.