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Witnesses tell Congress Google removed Pakistani critics’ YouTube channels amid pressure; journalists face exile and assassination
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Summary
Panelists at a congressional hearing said Pakistan’s government pressured digital platforms to remove critics, described widespread censorship and the exile or assassination of journalists, and urged U.S. congressional pressure on tech companies.
“Google shouldn't be looking to local corridors in Pakistan for what to do,” Jared Genser, a human rights lawyer testifying to the commission, said of recent platform takedowns. “They should be looking to its own standards,” he said, arguing YouTube should apply its global content rules rather than comply with arbitrary local orders.
Panelists told the commission that Pakistan’s authorities and magistrates have pressured Google and other platforms to remove or restrict access to channels critical of the government, including channels used by journalists and opposition figures. Witnesses said a Pakistani court order led to removal requests for at least 27 YouTube channels that had criticized the government and PTI supporters.
Ben Linden, advocacy director for Europe and Central Asia at Amnesty International USA, told the commission that press freedom in Pakistan has been “totally and completely eviscerated,” citing blocked websites and the throttling of Internet access. He and other witnesses said broadcasters are being banned from naming Imran Khan or the party in some contexts and that some outlets and anchors have gone into exile or taken sabbaticals.
Panelists pointed to the 2022—2024 pattern of harassment: journalists arrested or intimidated, YouTube channels removed pursuant to court orders, and the assassination in exile of journalist Arshad Sharif. One witness described the aftermath of that killing: “after Arshad Sharif's death, you see all the top 5, 10 journalists who are the best anchors ... are either in exile or they've taken gardening leave,” a witness said.
Witnesses noted that a Pakistani court later suspended some blocking orders but argued platform compliance sets a dangerous precedent when private companies accede to potentially unlawful or politically motivated takedown requests. Lawmakers at the hearing said they would seek meetings with Google and press platforms to ask how the company applied its policies and whether it yielded to political pressure.
The commission did not record a formal action at the hearing beyond directions from the co-chairs to arrange engagement with tech companies.
