Indian government blocks access to CBC documentary

The Indian government ordered YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) to remove a CBC Fifth Estate documentary on the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh activist in Vancouver whose killing on June 18, 2023 was allegedly orchestrated by the Indian government. 

CBC reported that the broadcaster was notified by X and YouTube that the Indian government had ordered both platforms to block access to the video in India, under the country’s Information Technology Act, which gives the government broad powers over digital media and communications. 

Previously, the Indian government used the same law in March 2023 and Sept. 2023 to prevent users in India from viewing the X and Instagram accounts of Canadian media organization Baaz News, which covers the global Sikh and Punjabi diaspora. 

The government also used the law in 2023 to block a BBC documentary about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reported the Guardian.