NEW DELHI: The Centre has banned 16 more YouTube channels, including six Pakistani channels. The channels were banned by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on the grounds of national security and for spreading false information.

The government has so far banned 78 YouTube channels that spread fake news. According to a press release issued by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the banned YouTube-based news channels had a total of 68 crore viewers. The action is for leaking information that threatens national security, for not releasing information without checking, for publishing false information that spreads racial hatred and for disrupting law and order. A Facebook account that spreads such content has also been removed.

Six Pakistani YouTube channels have been banned for spreading false and provocative information on Jammu and Kashmir and Indian Army issues. There are also channels that broadcast content that is detrimental to India's relations with foreign countries in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war. According to the Ministry of Information, the channels tried to incite hatred among different sections of the society and to create great panic among the migrant workers during the lockdown period.