PIB Fact Check Unit (FCU) busted nine YouTube channels spreading fake news and misinformation in India. The FCU has released multiple fact-checks in nine separate Twitter threads to counter the false information spread by these channels. According to the official statement released by PIB, the concerned YouTube channels were found to have over 83 lakh subscribers.
YouTube channels exposed by PIB Fack Check Unit misattributed derogatory statements to persons occupying constitutional positions including the chief justice of India, prime minister of India, chief election commissioner, among others.
As per the list busted by PIB, Bajrang Education with 24,30,000 tops the list, followed by Aapke Guruji, Bj News, at second and third positions respectively. The list further names Sansani Live TV, GVT News, Daily Study, Bharat Ekta News, Ab Bolega Bharat, and Sarkari Yojana Official.
Some channels falsely claimed imposition of President’s Rule in certain states, ban on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), resignation/death of Union Ministers, etc. Moreover, the nature of news includes fake news such as the 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. Some other false claims are related to natural disasters and deaths of Indian citizens, deployment of armed forces, closure of schools, among others.
Monetisation of fake news on YouTube is a serious concern as the use of clickbait, sensational false thumbnails are used to drive traffic and monetise fake news. Furthermore, the Government of India has also previously flagged concerns related to monetisation of fake news on YouTube.
Since December 2022, PIB has exposed 26 such YouTube channels which regularly publish false information on YouTube. Additionally, over 120 YouTube channels are blocked by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting under the provisions of The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.