Censorship on YouTube continues. This time, YouTube has blocked the accounts of Kurdish journalists Günay Aslan, Amed Dicle, Erdal Er, Fehim Işık, and Cahit Mervan in response to a request from Turkey.

 

The journalists made the following statement regarding the restriction:

 

"While the public’s right to access information is being usurped and freedom of the press is trampled upon, the right of press workers to work freely is also being taken away.

 

For a long time, YouTube has been pursuing a policy of 'shrinking space' and 'access restriction' against Kurdish press workers. Yesterday, it blocked access to the channels of us Kurdish journalists, Günay Aslan, Amed Dicle, Erdal Er, Fehim Işık, and Cahit Mervan, within Turkey.

 

YouTube notified us yesterday that our channels were blocked in the country 'upon Turkey’s complaint.' We see this decision as a blow to press freedom and we strongly reject it.

 

On the other hand, we are aware that Turkey represents a strong and attractive market for social media companies and digital platforms. However, it is unacceptable that these platforms dishonorably bow to the censorship and blocking demands of the Erdoğan regime due to economic interests. It is painful and shameful that YouTube has become a tool for the Turkish state’s 'complaints' aimed at obstructing Kurdish media.

 

We expect this decision to be reversed immediately, and for freedom of the press and the public’s right to be informed to be respected.

 

At the same time, we call on media organizations, journalists, and the public to take a stand against this ban, to express their reaction, and to support Kurdish press institutions and workers."