In the recent news, the Indian government has ordered to block 35 Pakistan-based YouTube channels and two websites, reasoning that they were conducting “anti-India propaganda”. India’s Information and Broadcasting Ministry, in an official statement, said that the Pakistan-based YouTube channels and websites had a total of 120 million subscribers and were running “fake news” on former Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat.
The Pakistan-Based YouTube Channels Were Used to Spread Anti-India Content
“The Pakistan-based YouTube channels, websites, and other social media accounts blocked by the ministry were used by the country for spreading anti-India fake news about sensitive subjects related to India,” it said. It was observed that these Pakistan-based YouTube channels had further begun posting content to sabotage the democratic function of the upcoming elections in five states, the statement declared.
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In addition to this, the statement issued by the Indian government stated that some of the Pakistan-based YouTube channels were being employed by anchors of Pakistani TV news channels. It may be noted that New Delhi has been caught red-handed circulating ‘fake news and misinformation against Islamabad recently. In 2020, an independent non-profit organization concentrated on tackling sophisticated disinformation had disclosed the latest iteration of an Indian influence movement intended to defame Pakistan within the EU organizations.
Indian Agencies Are Working to Tarnish Pakistan’s Reputation
According to an analysis by the EU DisinfoLab, a Brussels-based NGO, a collaborative influence operation, to tarnish Pakistan’s reputation, was being directed by the New-Delhi-based Srivastava Group and intensified by Asia News International (ANI), an Indian news agency.
The operation’s task was to discredit countries in dispute with India in the region, in particular, Pakistan and also China to a particular extent. In the long run, the drive directed by the Indian government aimed at strengthening India’s global perception, which would eventually enable New Delhi to acquire more support from foreign institutions such as the EU and the UN.
Source: Express Tribune
