Disguising Propaganda as News?
A study conducted by The Wire found several ‘dubious’ YouTube channels operating as news channels producing content centred around the Bengal elections. Most of these channels offered their content in Bengali and did not give adequate information about their ownership.
While there can be no direct link established between the suspected channels and the party, an anonymous BJP IT cell member had told The Wire that the party often buys out channels with a large subscriber base for their own benefit. He further added
These include channels like India Rag, Baarta Today, Campaign Calling Media, Bharat News, Bangladesh, Kolkata Prime Time, Times Bengal, Bengal News 24, SOM Extra, Bengal Times, GS Media and 4u Bangla.
The Quint independently verified that while some of the aforementioned channels have either been dormant (India Rag) or do not exist anymore, the others like Campaign Calling Media are very active in putting out news (sometimes unverified) and…