The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Thursday cracks down on fake news peddling YouTube Channels.

The PIB Fact Check Unit (FCU) of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting busted six YouTube channels which were working in a coordinated manner and spreading false information in India. 

The names of these six channels are Nation TV, Sarokar Bharat, Nation 24, Samvad Samachar, Swarnim Bharat, and Sambad TV.

According to an official press release by the Ministry of I&B, the busted channels are part of the fake news economy that thrives on monetization of fake news. The channels use fake, clickbait, and sensational thumbnails and images of television news anchors of TV Channels to mislead the audiences, thus making them believe in it.

These six YouTube channels were found to be operating as part of a coordinated disinformation network, had nearly 20 lakh subscribers and their videos have been watched over 51 crore times.

These channels spread fake news about the elections, proceedings in the Supreme Court and Parliament of India, functioning of the Government of India, etc.

They showcase videos on such as 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.

"This is the second such action by PIB Fact Check Unit. In an earlier major action, on 20th December, 2022, the Unit had exposed three channels peddling fake news," the press release stated.