YouTube’s Ban, Shows How Easily Tech Can Be Weaponised Against the Press
Al Jazeera has sharply criticised YouTube for enforcing Israel’s renewed ban on the network’s livestreams, arguing that the platform has allowed itself to become an extension of a government seeking to suppress independent journalism. The move followed Israel’s 90‑day extension of restrictions blocking Al Jazeera content across the country.
With Al Jazeera Arabic, English and Mubasher streams now inaccessible in Israel, the network accused YouTube of violating the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which call on global tech companies to protect free expression and resist political pressure.
Al Jazeera framed the ban as part of a long-standing pattern of Israeli actions targeting its journalists, offices and reporting, including killings, detentions and raids in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Israel has killed more than 270 journalists since October 2023, among them several Al Jazeera staff. The network urged YouTube and other digital platforms to lift the restrictions and called on press freedom groups to condemn Israel’s escalating crackdown on media.
Apparently, Israel affraids of other people’s opinions.
