Editors Guild sharply criticises Youtube’s removal of journalist’s channel
text_fields
New Delhi: Senior journalist and Editors Guild of India (EGI) general secretary Ruben Banerjee’s YouTube channel, Mu Ruben Kahuchh (“I Am Ruben Speaking”), has been removed from the platform, according to a statement issued by the EGI.
The guild stated that the channel, which had over 30,000 subscribers, was taken down on August 4 without any prior warning, strikes, or explanation regarding any ‘objectionable content’ that could have justified the removal.
The channel primarily featured content related to social welfare, teachers’ concerns, women’s self-help groups, and Odisha’s state politics. The EGI also noted that Banerjee had recently been offering sharp commentary on leaders from both the state and central governments,
According to the Editors Guild of India (EGI), senior journalist Ruben Banerjee’s YouTube channel was removed on August 4, 2025, after he received an email from the platform at around 11:15 p.m. The communication cited a violation of YouTube’s “Circumvention Policy” but, the EGI noted, the action was taken without any prior warning, strike, show-cause notice, or disclosure of the specific content allegedly in violation. The guild said this amounted to a denial of natural justice as Banerjee was not given an opportunity to be heard.
Banerjee, who has previously served as the Group Editor-in-Chief of Outlook and worked with The Indian Express, Al Jazeera, and Hindustan Times, sought recourse by approaching YouTube’s Grievance Officer through his counsel, but received no response.
The EGI argued that the incident raises significant concerns about freedom of expression, unchecked platform power, and the lack of transparency in digital governance. It also cited previous instances where YouTube allegedly took arbitrary action against journalists, including Poonam Aggarwal and the 4PM News Network, and urged the platform to reinstate Banerjee’s channel.
The EGI has also demanded a detailed explanation from YouTube regarding the removal of Ruben Banerjee’s channel. The guild stated that such arbitrary actions expose the risks posed by opaque enforcement mechanisms that threaten press freedom in the digital space and reflect the sweeping control exercised by platforms functioning as near monopolies.
The EGI urged YouTube to immediately reinstate the channel and provide a clear, specific justification for its removal. It stressed that any punitive action against journalistic content must be preceded by prior notice, a disclosure of reasons, and an opportunity for the creator to respond.
The guild further called on YouTube and other digital platforms to establish transparent and fair appeal mechanisms so that journalists are not subjected to vague and unilateral decisions. Responses from platforms, it said, should be specific and reasoned, rather than concealed behind opacity.
Highlighting the public-interest role of journalism, the EGI emphasised that platforms must act responsibly when dealing with content that holds those in power accountable. It added that freedom of expression online is as vital as it is offline, and for democracy to flourish, platforms like YouTube must operate with transparency, fairness, and accountability while protecting responsible journalism instead of punishing it.