Pakistan seeks YouTube ban on 27 opposition and journalist channels
Al JazeeraJUL 10
Pakistan Court Orders YouTube to Block 27 Journalist Channels
Above: YouTube. Image copyright: Unsplash
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
These YouTube channels were spreading dangerous anti-state propaganda and fake information that threatened national security and public order. The court acted appropriately under existing cybercrime laws to protect Pakistan's institutions from defamatory content that could incite unrest and undermine the dignity of state officials and armed forces.
Government-critical narrative
This is a blatant attack on press freedom and constitutional rights, with the government using vague cybercrime laws to silence critical voices without due process. The wholesale blocking of entire channels based on one-sided evidence violates the fundamental principles of natural justice and sets a dangerous precedent for digital censorship.