Censorship – Journalists

A petition has been filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging the alleged withholding of ‘X’ and ‘YouTube’ accounts of a Trust and its journalist-Editor, allegedly for covering Farmers’ Protest. As per the plea, the accounts were blocked on Centre’s request citing national security and public order concerns. ‘Gaon Savera’ Trust, statedly running a news platform in the name of ‘Gaon Savera’ on varioussocial media platforms and Journalist Mandeep Singh its managing Trustee moved the High Court seeking directions to ‘X’ and other authorities to quash the notice by which their social media accounts were blocked.

The petitioners submitted that on February 16, their X and YouTube accounts were withheld for disseminating information on ongoing Farmers’ Protest. A notice was sent by X stating that the accounts have been withhold on “legal removal demand” from the Government of India claiming the content violates Information Technology Act, 2000.