NEW DELHI – The civil rights organisation Jan Hastakshep has strongly condemned the government’s action against 4PM YouTube channel and the independent news outlet The Wire. It termed the action an onslaught on independent media and freedom of expression.
The blocking of the social media platforms came in the wake of India’s military action against Pakistan-based terror networks. The rights group slammed the closure of The Wire, known for providing a platform for alternative viewpoints and reporting that may be uncomfortable for the government in power.
In a statement on Friday, Jan Hastakshep Convener Dr Vikas Bajpai and Co-Convener Anil Dubey underlined that YouTube channel 4PM and several other prominent YouTube channels were also shut down under orders from the Union Government. Cases have been filed against some social media influencers merely for asking uncomfortable questions about terrorist attacks on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir.
The government has ordered the blocking of approximately 8,000 handles on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), they said.
They said the Jan Hastakshep demands that the government immediately unblock the relevant YouTube channels and The Wire website and withdraw its order to deny access to the X handles.
“We also demand an end to the filing of cases against social media influencers for simply asking questions,” the statement said.
“We remind the government that blocking access to free information is not helpful in the fight against terrorism and may prove counterproductive. In situations where credible information is suppressed, rumour-mongers gain ground, potentially,” the statement concluded.
