Challenges of Free Speech in Conflict Zones: A Palestinian Journalist's Experience

In February 2024, YouTube deleted the account of independent British journalist Robert Inlakesh without warning. His account contained numerous videos documenting Israel's military occupation of the West Bank, including footage of home demolitions, police harassment, and Israeli soldiers shooting at Palestinian civilians.

Following the deletion, YouTube cited community guideline violations, then later claimed Inlakesh's account was linked to an Iranian influence campaign, but did not provide evidence for this assertion.

Inlakesh, who previously worked for Iranian state-owned media Press TV, argued that his independent journalism should not have led to the erasure of his content. The deletion of his account, along with subsequent deletions of his backup and Google accounts, has left him unable to share his journalism on the largest English language video platform.

The issue of censorship extends beyond Inlakesh's case, as Google has a documented history of censoring Palestinian content and has faced criticism for its high rate of takedowns of such content, particularly during the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.

Inlakesh lamented the loss of crucial footage, stating, 'You're killing part of the narrative,' emphasizing the impact of censorship on public understanding of the conflict. This situation highlights the broader challenges journalists face in conflict zones and raises critical questions about free speech and the role of Big Tech in moderating content that challenges state narratives, particularly regarding Israel and Palestine.

The recent actions by Google have been described as part of a troubling trend where automated systems and compliance with U.S. sanctions disproportionately affect journalists and human rights advocates in the Middle East, leading to an erosion of independent media voices.