YouTube removes Kenyan anti-imperialist channel ‘Sovereign Media’ without notice

PressTV, May 13, 2026

In a shocking move late Tuesday, YouTube removed the channel of Sovereign Media, a Nairobi-based independent anti-imperialist media outlet, without prior notice.

Sovereign Media is a key member of an anti-imperialist media coalition in Africa, launched to amplify voices from alternative platforms, including Black Agenda Report and Orinoco Tribune, covering global conflicts, resistance movements, and anti-war protests through an anti-colonial and socialist lens.

The takedown coincided with the opening day of the “Forward Africa” French-African summit in Nairobi, according to a statement put out by the media platform.

Sovereign Media had recently provided coverage of protests linked to the Pan-African Summit Against Imperialism, a gathering opposing French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Kenya.

YouTube – owned by Google – has faced sustained criticism from journalists and human rights organisations for systematically suppressing, deleting, or shadow-banning pro-Palestinian and anti-imperialist content and documentation of human rights abuses.

The move to remove the Sovereign Media channel has triggered widespread outrage.

“YouTube won't mind if you stream live going to different places screaming at everything. They'll even add some TikTokers weeping about how wonderful it is to connect with the motherland. As Manu reminded us, we're all pan-Africanists now,” wrote a social media user.

“This is appalling censorship. Also, if you want to know what truly scares the establishment, and has the power to truly end the corruption and abuse from people in power, watch who they censor, diminish and demonise,” wrote another user on X.

Another social media user said it is time Africans start “making moves on creating our own indigenous platforms,” and boycott mainstream platforms like YouTube.

“Absolutely unaccountable and entirely unjustifiable. Anyone who cares about socialist or anti-imperialist politics should care about this censorship,” wrote another user.

“In fact, anyone who wants the ability to speak and report freely online should be alarmed by this madness."

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