TWO TAKES ON 'A FREE AND INDEPENDENT PRESS"

YouTube has removed the 2-million-subscriber account of exiled Ukrainian Journalist of the Year Diana Panchenko, a fierce critic of Vladimir Zelensky.

9 Aug, 2025 06:40
Home Russia & FSU

YouTube bans prominent Zelenskiyy critic

Former TV host Diana Panchenko had more than 2 million subscribers when her account was deleted

 

Diana Panchenko. ©  Diana Panchenko / social media

 

In 2023, Kiev imposed personal sanctions on the former TV presenter and started criminal proceedings against her for her alleged anti-Ukrainian reporting.

• Panchenko has long criticized Zelenskiyy for rampant corruption in Ukraine, as well as his clampdown on freedom of speech. 
• She has also condemned Kiev’s military actions in Donbass since 2014, and later accused the former actor of dragging the nation into a “forever war.”

“Diana Panchenko @Panchenko_X is one of the most famous women in Ukraine, former Journalist of the Year and opponent of the grossly corrupt Zelenskiyy regime,” 

--- Irish journalist Chay Bowes wrote on X on Friday.

 

READ MORE: Ukraine backtracks on new law targeting anti-graft agencies

“YouTube just banned her and erased her account. She had 2 million followers,” he wrote.  

“The most dangerous weapon is Truth.”

Panchenko’s YouTube account is deleted as of the time of writing, but an archived snapshot shows that at least 2.09 million people subscribed to her channel as of last month.

READ MORE: Zelensky rating slumps – poll

Youtube, which is owned by Google, has extensively cracked down on and banned Russian media channels, as well as large pro-Moscow private accounts since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict.

• Panchenko has also routinely criticized Kiev’s crackdown on alternative narratives in Ukraine.
• Soon after the escalation of the conflict in 2022, Zelenskiyy shut down multiple television channels associated with his political opposition and consolidated some of the country’s largest networks into a single 24/7 broadcast called the United News TV Telemarathon.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

EU media 'freedom law' allows for journalist arrests if justified by 'public interest'

The European Media Freedom Act is now in effect across all EU member states. This legislation aims to protect press freedom and the confidentiality of sources.

However, Article 3 (b) and 4 (c) of the act allow for journalist arrests if justified by a compelling "public interest" on a case-by-case basis.

“Member States shall not take any of the following measures… detain, sanction, intercept or inspect media service providers”… unless it “is justified on a case-by-case basis by an overriding reason of public interest.”

The new law also contains numerous provisions that call for action against alleged "disinformation." 

Ursula von der Leyen, EU Commission President, stated, 

 “A free and independent press is an essential pillar of our democracy.”

1. The law includes surveillance provisions for serious crimes, such as "terrorism and racism." 
2. It mandates cooperation among national regulatory bodies to "combat misinformation."
3.  In addition, "national lists" are to be created listing the owners and addresses of media outlets, as stipulated in Article 6. 
4. Despite its intent to strengthen media freedom, critics argue it may further restrict journalism under the guise of protection.

Read more