Canada’s Government-funded broadcaster CBC’s 45-minute report has been blocked by YouTube on Friday. The report, aired on the program “The Fifth Estate” delved into the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan figure, in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18 the previous year. Additionally, it included a lengthy interview with Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the general counsel of the separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).
CBC disclosed that YouTube informed them of an order from India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to block the video of the report on their platform, resulting in its unavailability in India. However, the content remains accessible outside of India.
Furthermore, the Indian government requested X (formerly Twitter) to block access to the content on their platform as well. X stated that Indian law requires them to restrict access to the content in India, although it remains available elsewhere. X expressed disagreement with the action, asserting that freedom of expression should encompass such posts. They also mentioned engaging with Indian authorities in accordance with the legal process.
Despite attempts to involve India’s High Commission in Ottawa in the program, CBC did not receive a response. While Sanjay Kumar Verma, India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, has engaged with multiple Canadian networks and outlets, CBC was not among them.
A CBC spokesperson reaffirmed the thorough research and editorial vetting undertaken for the report, emphasizing its alignment with journalistic standards.
However, there were criticisms from certain members of the Indo-Canadian community, including Maninder Singh Gill, MD of Surrey-based Radio India. In a letter to CBC president Catherine Tait, Gill labeled the program as “biased” and “propaganda,” challenging CBC’s portrayal of the Khalistan movement and its historical context in the Indian subcontinent.
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