Media Star World, a popular news channel on Youtube, was abruptly terminated on Monday morning (27 November 2023) by YouTube without any warning message. Following an appeal (see press release below) by the Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ), YouTube restored the channel on 28 November 2023.

The channel’s editor-in-chief, Mohd. Ahmad Kazmi, found that the channel was repeatedly hacked last week. The channel’s team changed the passwords and restored it but the termination and finally, the abrupt withdrawal without notice came as a rude shock.

In a statement thanking all those who supported him, Kazmi said, ” हम हमेशा की तरह अपनी कोशिशें जारी रखने के लिए पाबंद हैं। (We are committed to continue our efforts as always).

The DUJ Press release:

RESTORE THE CHANNEL MEDIA STAR WORLD, DUJ TELLS YouTube

The Delhi Union of Journalists is shocked at the sudden termination of the channel Media Star World by Youtube. This small but popular news and views channel had 820 thousand subscribers and at least 4.9 thousand videos to its credit. This Delhi based channel offered world news and views on current affairs, with a particular focus on West Asia affairs. The broadcasts were mostly in Hindustani and aimed at the average viewer. During the current crisis in Gaza it viewership had increased rapidly as it aimed to provide balanced coverage of the events in the war torn region.

According to the channel head veteran journalist M.A. Kazmi, Youtube sent no warning message that it intended to terminate the channel. The Delhi Union of Journalists feels that, given the timing of this termination, it is a political move, possibly undertaken under pressure from various quarters. We appeal to YouTube to immediately restore the channel and let it resume its coverage.

The DUJ wishes to point out that it takes years of persistent coverage for a small channel to establish a viewership and reputation. Such efforts must not be destroyed at one fell stroke.

YouTube must be transparent in all such matters and make public the full reasons for its action. Arbitrarily closing down a channel is a blow to both democracy and free speech.     

Sd/-                                       Sd/-                               Sd/-                              

Sujata Madhok               S.K.Pande                   A.M.Jigeesh

President                       Vice president               General Secretary