Nine YouTube channels charged with spreading false information

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting claims that nine YouTube channels spreading false information and fake news in India have been identified by the Press Information Bureau's fact-checking team. The channels that are being mentioned are 'Bharat Ekta News,' 'Bajrang Education,' 'Bj News,' 'Sansani Live TV,' 'GVT News,' 'Daily Study,' 'Ab Bolega Bharat,' 'Sarkari Yojana Official,' and 'Aapke Guruji.'

“The PIB Fact Check Unit (FCU) has busted nine YouTube channels spreading fake news and misinformation in India. The Fact Check Unit released multiple fact-checks in nine separate Twitter threads to counter the false information spread by these channels," the ministry said.

Their subscribers’ base ranges from 11,700 to 34.70 lakh. These YouTube channels “misattributed” derogatory statements to persons occupying constitutional positions, including the Chief Justice of India, Prime Minister, Chief Election Commissioner, the ministry said in a statement. “Some channels falsely claimed imposition of the President’s Rule in certain states, ban on electronic voting machines (EVMs), resignation/death of Union ministers, etc,” the ministry said.

Some of them claimed a ban on Rs 200 and Rs 500 currency notes, closures of banks, and false information related to the schemes and policies of the Government of India, the ministry said. False claims related to natural disasters and deaths of Indian citizens, deployment of armed forces, closure of schools, etc. were also made by some of the nine Youtube channels busted by the PIB's fact check unit, the ministry said.