The Network stresses that this escalation is part of a broader and systematic pattern of Israeli violations, including the killing and detention of its journalists and the closure of its offices in the occupied territories, aimed at suppressing the truth.
Al Jazeera Media Network has ‘strongly denounced’ YouTube for complying with an Israeli decision to ban the network’s channels on the platform and block access to its websites in Israel.
In a statement, the network said the move violates international standards on freedom of expression, citing Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees the right to seek, receive and impart information freely.
Al Jazeera also raised concerns about YouTube’s response, saying that it falls short of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which call on companies to uphold freedom of expression and resist government pressure that lead to the withholding of the truth and the silencing of independent journalism.
“The Network expresses its deep concern over YouTube’s response to these censorial dictates, which constitutes a failure to adhere to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights,” the statement added.
The network said the ban sets a precedent that could allow technology companies to be used to restrict independent journalism. It warned that such actions risk reinforcing double standards in the moderation of digital content, particularly in conflict zones.
“The banning of Al Jazeera’s digital platforms and websites on weak security grounds sends a dangerous signal that major technology companies can be co opted as instruments of regimes hostile to freedom. This further entrenches a policy of double standards in the management of digital content in conflict zones and weakens the governance of the global public sphere.”
The Network stresses that this escalation is part of a broader and systematic pattern of Israeli violations, including the killing and detention of its journalists and the closure of its offices in the occupied territories, aimed at suppressing the truth.
Al Jazeera Media Network calls on YouTube and other digital content distribution companies to immediately lift the ban on its channels and to fully uphold their moral and legal responsibilities to the global audience.
The Qatar-based network has urged all international bodies concerned with media freedom and human rights organisations to condemn this ban and to demand that Israeli authorities cease targeting journalistic institutions.
Al Jazeera also called for an international investigation into the ways in which technology platforms submit to censorship, underscoring the need for independent grievance mechanisms that protect media content from political pressure and uphold the rule of law.
“Al Jazeera reaffirms its commitment to reporting the full truth and assures its audience that attempts at digital blocking will only strengthen its determination to fulfil its professional mission across all available means and platforms.”
Al Jazeera said it would continue its reporting across available platforms and reserved the right to pursue legal action.
