YouTube blocks access to CBC article in India Fifth Estate for the alleged contract killing of a Sikh separatist in Canada after the Indian government ordered the social media platform to take that action.
Fifth Estate The article published Friday included footage of the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar as he left a place of worship in Surrey, British Columbia, last June.
YouTube said in an email to CBC on Wednesday that it had received an order from India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to block access to the article’s video from its website.
YouTube confirmed to CBC News on Wednesday afternoon that “content is currently unavailable” on YouTube’s country site in India. The content is restricted in India, but the video is still available elsewhere on YouTube.
- Watch the full documentary. “Killing Contract”,” from Fifth Estate upon YouTube or stream it CBC Gem.
Meanwhile, X, formerly known as Twitter, also told CBC it had received a legal takedown request from the Indian government. Fifth Estate Story.
“Under Indian law, X is obligated to withhold access to this content within India, but the content remains available elsewhere,” X said in an email. Fifth Estate.
“We do not agree with this action and insist that freedom of expression should extend to these posts. We are following Indian legal process and are currently in contact with Indian authorities.”
In emails to CBC from YouTube and X, both platforms said the Indian government cited the country’s Information Technology Act, 2000, in issuing the order.
According to some provisions of the law, the government has the power to “intercept, monitor, or decrypt any information generated, transmitted, received, or stored in computer resources.” Such measures may be taken in accordance with the law for the following purposes:
- sovereignty or integrity of India, defense of India, national security;
- friendly relations with foreign countries.
- To prevent incitement to public order or any cognizable criminal offenses in connection therewith.
- We investigate all crimes.
Video showing Nijjar leaving the parking lot
Fifth Estate An article that aired last week showed Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara President Nijal leaving the parking lot of a Surrey place of worship in a gray Dodge Ram pickup on the night of June 18, 2023. A video was included.
As he approached the exit, a white sedan stopped in front of him, blocking his truck. Two men then ran up and shot Nijjar before fleeing in a silver Toyota Camry.
The coordinated attack involved six men and two vehicles. Almost nine months later, RCMP have not named or arrested any suspects in connection with Nijjar’s death.
The apparently targeted killing of Nijjar ultimately led to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusation that the Indian government ordered the killing, an allegation that seriously damaged diplomatic relations between Canada and India.
India strongly denies any link to the killing.
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CBC News spokesman Chuck Thompson said he stands by the company’s journalism on this matter.
“To ensure fairness and balance, the documentary includes a wide range of opinions, witnesses and subject matter experts,” he said.
“And as with all the stories above, Fifth EstateContract To Kill has been thoroughly researched and reviewed by senior editorial leaders and meets our journalistic standards. ”
