PCI condemns blocking of YouTube channels of 2 Hindi news outlets
New Delhi: Press Club of India (PCI) has denounced the action by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) directing YouTube to block the channels of two Hindi news outlets.
While the Press Club of India and Press Association condemn such extreme action of the government, “we feel concerned as this step amounts to censorship on media and an attack on the freedom of the press, especially when the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are just a few days away.”
On April 3, Hindi channel, “Bolta Hindustan,” with over three lakh subscribers, was taken offline by YouTube at the directions of the government. Similarly, the streaming platform informed another Hindi channel, “National Dastak” with 94.2 lakh subscribers that it has been instructed to take it offline.
In emails sent to the owners of these channels, YouTube said that the blocking requests it had received from MIB invoked Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and Rule 15(2) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
On April 13, according to news reports, YouTube channels run by two independent journalists, Mehgnad and Sonit Mishra, received notices for demonetisation for hosting videos pertaining to Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), the statement added.
“These two journalists were merely addressing various concerns surrounding EVMs and VVPAT at a time when India is headed for crucial Lok Sabha elections. Even the Supreme Court is seized of the EVM and VVPAT issue and has issued notices to the government. Earlier, several X handles (formerly Twitter) of independent journalists, reporting on farmers protest, were blocked. These handles were unblocked just a few days back after remaining inaccessible for more than two months.”
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NDA's win in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation watershed moment in Kerala politics: PM Modi
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday termed the mandate received by the BJP-led NDA in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation a "watershed moment" in Kerala's politics and expressed gratitude to the BJP workers for the "spectacular results".
The Left parties suffered a major setback in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, held by them for 45 years, as the BJP-led NDA surged ahead with a huge lead.
Reacting to the civic body results, the prime minister said it is a day to recall the work and struggles of generations of karyakartas (workers) in Kerala, who worked at the grassroots, which ensured today's result became a reality.
"Thank you Thiruvananthapuram! The mandate the BJP-NDA got in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is a watershed moment in Kerala's politics," he wrote on 'X'.
PM Modi said the people are certain that the development aspirations of Kerala can only be addressed by the BJP. "Our Party will work towards this vibrant city's growth and boost 'Ease of Living' for the people," he said with the hashtag #VikasitaThiruvananthapuram.
The prime minister said the BJP karyakartas are the strength of the party, and everyone is proud of them.
"My gratitude to all hardworking BJP karyakartas who have worked among the people, which has ensured a spectacular result in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation," he said.
