The PIB Fact Check Unit (FCU) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting cracked down on six YouTube channels that were allegedly spreading false information. The six YouTube channels were found to be operating as part of a coordinated disinformation network, with nearly 20 lakh subscribers.
The YouTube channels exposed by the PIB Fact Check unit spread fake news about the elections, proceedings in the Supreme Court and Parliament of India, functioning of the Government of India, etc. The channels are part of a fake news economy that thrives on monetization of fake news.
The I&B Ministry said, “Examples include false claims regarding ban on Electronic Voting Machines, and false statements attributed to senior Constitutional functionaries including the President of India, Chief Justice of India.”
The Ministry further added, “The Fact Check Unit released six separate Twitter threads having over 100 fact-checks to counter the fake news spread by these channels.” The channels use fake, clickbait and sensational thumbnails and images of television news anchors of TV channels to mislead the viewers into believing that the news was authentic.
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