YouTube Blocks Lukpan Akhmedyarov’s Channel for Second Time This Year

The YouTube channel Just Journalism, run by well-known Kazakh journalist Lukpan Akhmedyarov, has been blocked for the second time this year, allegedly for violating privacy policies, Orda.kz reports.

According to the platform, possible violations include the publication of personal data such as names, photos, bank details, or social security numbers.

However, Akhmedyarov denied that any such information was shared.

Every YouTube channel uses a person’s image, first name, and last name. We didn’t post anyone’s personal information, so we don’t understand what exactly caused the blocking,said Lukpan Akhmedyarov.

He added that the team plans to contact YouTube’s management to clarify the reasons behind the restriction.

Just Journalism had already been taken down several months earlier. Akhmedyarov attributed the previous removal to political pressure, stressing that such actions restrict access to independent information.

Just a day earlier, Azattyq editor Kasym Amanzhol reported the creation of a fake account in his name, while an AI-generated image of Orda.kz editor-in-chief Gulnara Bazhkenova circulated on Threads, falsely portraying her as living a “lavish lifestyle.”

Read also: 

• Journalists and Activists from Kazakhstan Highlight Media Pressure and Legal Challenges at OSCE Forum
• Court Rejects Legal Media Center’s Lawsuit Against Astana Akimat Over Access to Information
• Journalist Lukpan Akhmedyarov Shares Details About Case