Activists in Novosibirsk held pickets for freedom of information
In Novosibirsk, left-wing activists held a series of pickets for freedom of information and against the blocking of YouTube. This was reported by the “RKP(y)” telegram channel.
Activists unfurled posters: “No – YouTube blocking! Yes – free information!”, “For free internet!”, “YOUTUBE is not a luxury!”, “The Internet is a weapon of the proletariat!” and a fragment from Article 29 of the Russian Constitution on the right of citizens to freedom to receive and disseminate information. The action took place on Sunday, September 29 in the city center and in Akademhorodka.
Earlier, the mayor’s office of Novosibirsk refused the activists to hold a rally on the same topic, referring to the same 29th article of the Constitution, which speaks of the inadmissibility of “propaganda or agitation that incites social, racial, national, religious hatred and enmity.” Now the organizers have filed a new notice for holding a rally at the Hyde Park near the Globus theater. This site does not require the approval of the authorities.
- After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, YouTube blocked many pro-Kremlin channels. From May to June 2024, YouTube blocked about 3,600 channels with Russian propaganda. Opposition media, on the contrary, continue to work on video hosting.
- At the end of July, State Duma deputy from “United Russia” Alexander Khinshtein predicted the upcoming slowdown of YouTube by 70% due to his “anti-Russian policy”.
- In mid-September, State Duma Vice-Speaker Boris Chernyshov announced that YouTube will be completely blocked in Russia when the monetization system begins to fully function in its local counterparts.
