In a statement on Thursday, the Digital Media Publishers and Journalists Association condemned the “undemocratic and “unconstitutional” banning of YouTube channel 4PM.
Digipub News India Foundation condemns the unconstitutional ban on 4PM channel. pic.twitter.com/SODQxuNs6y
— DIGIPUB News India Foundation (@DigipubIndia) May 1, 2025
The channel was banned in India on Tuesday because of a government order linked to “national security or public order”. The channel’s owner and editor-in-chief Sanjay Sharma said he had received an email from YouTube on Tuesday morning about the channel being closed as per the government’s directions. Sharma said he is concerned about national security and was only asking the government questions. It is not immediately clear what triggered the government request.
The DIGIPUB statement said, “In the era of Digital India, when the reach and influence of digital media are expanding rapidly across the country, such bans on digital journalism platforms are not only an attack on democratic values but also a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution.”
“The ban did not follow the procedures outlined under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. No show-cause notice was issued, nor was any opportunity to respond provided. This action directly violates the principle of natural justice – audi alteram partem – which requires that any party facing action must be given a chance to present their side,” the foundation said.
“It is also noteworthy that the Hon’ble Supreme Court, in the landmark Shreya Singhal vs Union of India (2015) judgment, clearly restricted arbitrary government interference in matters concerning freedom of expression – a precedent that appears to have been disregarded in this case.”
The foundation appealed to the government and YouTube to “immediately revoke this unconstitutional and undemocratic ban on 4PM and restore its services”.
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