New Delhi: Fresh on the list of arbitrary removals of YouTube videos and channels in the country is senior journalist and Editors Guild of India (EGI) general secretary Ruben Banerjee’s channel, Mu Ruben Kahuchh (I Am Ruben Speaking).According to a statement released by the EGI, Banerjee’s channel was removed from the video streaming platform on August 4 without any prior warning, strike or disclosure of ‘objectionable content’, which formed the grounds for the channel’s removal.The channel, with over 30,000 subscribers, featured videos that covered social welfare, teachers’ issues, women’s self-help groups, and state politics in Odisha. “Recently, Mr. Banerjee has also engaged in sharp commentary on leaders in both the state and central governments,” the statement said.“On 4 August 2025 at 11:15 p.m., Mr. Banerjee received an electronic communication from YouTube alleging a violation of its “Circumvention Policy” and informing him of the channel’s removal. This action was taken without any prior strike, warning, show-cause notice, or disclosure of the specific content or conduct said to constitute the alleged violation—thereby denying him the opportunity to be heard and amounting to a denial of natural justice,” the EGI said.Statement On the Abrupt Removal of Mr Ruben Banerjee’s Channel by YouTube@YouTubeIndia @GoI_MeitY @MIB_India @AshwiniVaishnaw @internetfreedom @Rubenbanerjee pic.twitter.com/RlAW4w0dHl— Editors Guild of India (@IndEditorsGuild) August 20, 2025Banerjee, who has previously served as the Group Editor-in-Chief of Outlook and worked at The Indian Express, Al Jazeera, and Hindustan Times, approached YouTube’s Grievance Officer via his counsel but to no avail.“The removal of his channel raises serious questions about freedom of expression, platform power, and the lack of clarity in digital governance,” the EGI said.The journalists body listed past instances of arbitrary action by YouTube, including those against journalist Poonam Aggarwal and 4PM News Network, and urged the platform to reinstate Banerjee’s channel. EGI has also asked for a specific explanation for the channel’s removal.“Such arbitrary actions highlight the dangers of opaque enforcement mechanisms that undermine press freedom in the digital space, and the sweeping control exercised by platforms that now function as near monopolies,” the EGI said.“The Editors Guild urges YouTube to immediately reinstate Mu Ruben Kahuchhi and provide a clear and specific explanation for its removal. Any action against journalistic content must be preceded by prior notice, disclosure of reasons, and an opportunity for the creator to respond. YouTube and other digital content platforms must also establish transparent and fair appeal mechanisms so that journalists are not left at the mercy of vague and unilateral decisions. Their responses must be specific and reasoned, not hidden behind opacity. Above all, platforms must recognise the public-interest value of journalism and act with far greater responsibility before taking punitive action against voices that hold power to account.Freedom of expression online is as vital as it is offline. For democracy to thrive, platforms like YouTube must operate with transparency, fairness, and accountability, ensuring that responsible journalism is protected, not punished,” the statement added.