LEAKED Audio Reveals Global REPRESSION Campaign

Summary

The video script details the viral impact of a Dropsite News report on transnational repression, highlighting Pakistan's crackdown on dissent. Despite Pakistan's ban on Twitter and Dropsite News, the report continues to circulate, illustrating the government's attempts to silence a Pakistani-Australian activist. The activist's brother, still in Pakistan, is abducted after he petitions for democracy in Pakistan and questions its trade deal with the EU. A chilling phone call from the brother's number, believed to be from the government, threatens the activist, urging him to stop his online activism or face consequences. This report underscores the power of journalism in influencing political discourse and the risks faced by those who dare to challenge authority.

Takeaways

• 📢 The video discusses a viral incident involving Dropsite News, which has been banned in Pakistan, and the government's attempts to suppress its content.
• 🌐 Despite the ban on Twitter in Pakistan, the video has garnered significant attention, highlighting the power of digital media to bypass censorship.
• 📉 The Pakistani government's actions, including slowing down the internet, demonstrate a broader trend of transnational repression where states exert control beyond their borders.
• 🔍 The term 'transnational repression' is explained, referring to governments repressing individuals or entities outside their jurisdiction, often to the chagrin of the host country.
• 📝 The video features a real-life case where an Australian citizen of Pakistani descent faces threats due to his political activism, leading to his brother's abduction in Pakistan.
• 👥 The Australian's actions, including starting petitions and advocating for human rights, are contrasted with the severe response from Pakistani authorities, illustrating the personal risks involved.
• 📱 The video includes a recorded phone call, a rare and courageous act that provides direct evidence of government intimidation tactics, adding a layer of authenticity to the report.
• 🎥 The animation by Isa Gali is praised for effectively conveying the chilling nature of the phone call, enhancing the emotional impact of the video.
• 🗣️ The conversation in the phone call reveals the extent of the government's control over social media, with specific demands to delete tweets and refrain from commenting on certain topics.
• 🌟 The video concludes with a call to support Dropsite News and Breaking Points, emphasizing the importance of independent journalism in the face of government censorship and control.

Q & A

What is the significance of the video published on dropsite.news?

The video is significant because it has gone viral in Pakistan despite the country's efforts to suppress it, including banning Twitter and dropsite.news. It showcases an example of transnational repression, where a government represses someone outside its borders.

What is 'transnational repression' as mentioned in the script?

Transnational repression refers to a government's actions to suppress or intimidate individuals outside its own territory, often because they are critical of the government or involved in dissident activities.

Why did Pakistan ban dropsite.news and Twitter?

Pakistan banned dropsite.news and Twitter because the platform was used to share content that the government considered a threat to its interests, such as the video that went viral and highlighted the issue of transnational repression.

What is the counterpoints discount mentioned in the script?

The counterpoints discount is a promotional offer on dropsite.news, where subscribers can get a 20% discount by visiting the website and using the term 'counterpoints' at checkout.

How does the video relate to the concept of 'banality of evil'?

The video relates to the 'banality of evil' by illustrating how ordinary actions, like making a phone call, can be used to carry out oppressive acts, such as negotiating the terms of a person's silence on social media.

What actions did the Australian man of Pakistani descent take that led to his brother's abduction?

The Australian man started two petitions: one urging people to support a resolution questioning the elections in Pakistan, and another asking the EU to review its trade deal with Pakistan due to human rights violations.

What is the role of the animation in the video?

The animation serves to visualize the recorded phone calls, making the content more engaging and easier to understand for the audience. It was created by Isa Gali and adds a layer of emotional impact to the raw audio.

Why is the audio in the video considered 'shocking'?

The audio is considered shocking because it provides a firsthand account of the threats and negotiations made by individuals likely representing the Pakistani government, revealing the extent of transnational repression.

How has dropsite.news influenced Pakistani politics according to the script?

Dropsite.news has influenced Pakistani politics by publishing content that challenges the government's narrative and actions, leading to changes in how information is shared and consumed within the country.

What is the importance of the video for the audience of Breaking Points?

The video is important for the audience as it provides a real-life example of government overreach and the impact of citizen journalism on global politics, particularly in the context of Pakistan.

What can viewers do if they want to support the work of dropsite.news?

Viewers can support dropsite.news by subscribing to their journalism, which helps make such investigative work possible, and by engaging with their content on platforms like Breaking Points.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 International Repression and Censorship

The video discusses a viral incident in Pakistan, where a man of Pakistani origin, now an Australian citizen, engages in political activism from abroad. His actions include starting petitions supporting democracy in Pakistan and questioning the legitimacy of the country's elections. This leads to his brother, still in Pakistan, being abducted by men believed to be state actors. The video highlights the concept of 'transnational repression,' where a government exerts its power beyond its borders, which is a violation of another country's sovereignty. The incident has caused significant controversy, leading to Dropsite News being banned in Pakistan and Twitter usage being restricted, despite the video gaining over 3.5 million views.

05:10

📞 Disturbing Phone Call: A Glimpse into State Intimidation

The second paragraph features a transcript of a disturbing phone call between the Australian man and an individual claiming to represent Pakistani authorities. The caller demands that the man cease his political activities and delete his social media posts within a specified time frame, threatening to harm his abducted brother if he does not comply. The conversation is interspersed with eerie music and sound effects, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. The man is warned against engaging in Pakistan's affairs and is given a stark ultimatum regarding his online presence.

10:14

🚨 Threats and Ultimatums: A Family's Ordeal

This paragraph delves deeper into the chilling conversation where the caller from Pakistan's alleged state agents outlines the consequences of non-compliance. The man is told that if he does not delete his tweets within 30 minutes, his brother will be harmed. The caller also warns him against tweeting about certain topics, particularly those related to Imran Khan and the political instability in Pakistan. The conversation reveals the extent to which the authorities are willing to go to silence dissent, even when it originates from outside the country.

15:23

😔 A Family's Dilemma: Compliance or Defiance

The fourth paragraph captures the tension as the Australian man is given an ultimatum to remain silent on Twitter for five days. The caller asserts control, indicating that any tweets from the man's side will result in immediate retaliation against his brother. The man requests time to think and consider his options, highlighting the psychological pressure he is under. The conversation ends with the caller offering to stay in touch, suggesting an ongoing surveillance and control over the man's actions.

20:23

📢 Viral Impact and Political Implications

In the final paragraph, the video script's narrator, Emily, reflects on the video's virality and its impact on Pakistani politics. She discusses the significance of the audio recording and the animation that accompanies it, emphasizing the power of such evidence in exposing state repression. Emily also touches upon the broader implications of Dropsite News' reporting on Pakistan's political landscape, acknowledging the influence of the platform in shaping public discourse and the government's response to it. The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to support Dropsite News and engage with the content.

Keywords

💡Dropsite News

Dropsite News is mentioned as the publisher of the video content discussed in the script. It is a platform that seems to focus on investigative journalism, as indicated by the video's discussion of a specific piece that has gone viral in Pakistan. The video's content and its impact on Pakistani politics highlight the significance of Dropsite News in bringing attention to issues of transnational repression and human rights.

💡Transnational Repression

Transnational repression refers to the practice where a government exerts its power to suppress individuals or groups outside its territorial boundaries. In the script, this concept is exemplified by the case of a Pakistani man in Australia who faces repercussions from the Pakistani government due to his political activism. The video script illustrates this through the story of the man's brother being abducted in Pakistan, demonstrating the reach and impact of such repression.

💡Counterpoints

Counterpoints is mentioned as a discount offer for Dropsite News subscriptions. It suggests a subscription model where premium content or additional benefits are provided to paying subscribers. The script implies that supporting Dropsite News through subscriptions helps sustain the platform's journalism, which is crucial for the kind of investigative reporting discussed in the video.

💡Twitter Ban

The script discusses how Pakistan has banned Twitter, which is relevant to the video's theme as it shows the government's attempt to control information flow and suppress dissent. The ban is particularly significant in the context of the video because it highlights the challenges faced by journalists and activists in sharing information and organizing resistance against transnational repression.

💡Internet Slowdown

The term 'internet slowdown' refers to the deliberate reduction of internet speed by a government or authority, often as a means of control or censorship. In the script, it is mentioned that Pakistan slowed down the internet in response to Dropsite News, which underscores the government's efforts to limit the spread of information and restrict access to platforms that facilitate the sharing of such content.

💡Sovereignty

Sovereignty, in the context of the video, refers to the authority of a state to govern itself without interference from external sources. The script uses the example of Turkey's reaction to the killing of Jamal Khashoggi to illustrate how countries view actions that infringe upon their sovereignty as a direct challenge, even if they do not have a stake in the underlying conflict.

💡Diplomatic Fit

A 'diplomatic fit' is a term used to describe a strong protest or objection made by one country to another, usually through diplomatic channels. The script refers to Turkey's response to the killing of Jamal Khashoggi as an example of a diplomatic fit, highlighting how such actions can strain international relations and draw attention to issues of transnational repression.

💡Human Rights

Human rights are the fundamental rights to which all individuals are entitled, such as the right to life, liberty, and freedom of expression. The script mentions a petition urging the EU to review its trade deal with Pakistan based on human rights violations, emphasizing the importance of holding countries accountable for their actions and linking human rights to broader geopolitical and economic considerations.

💡Activism

Activism involves the actions people take to bring about social, political, or environmental change. In the video script, the Australian man of Pakistani descent engages in activism by starting petitions related to democracy and human rights in Pakistan. His actions exemplify how individuals can use their platforms to advocate for change and raise awareness about issues of global concern.

💡Incursion

An incursion is an unauthorized or unwelcome entry into a territory, often with the intent of asserting control or influence. The script uses the term to describe how other countries view acts of transnational repression as an incursion on their sovereignty, which is a violation of their right to self-governance and can lead to diplomatic tensions.

💡Banality of Evil

The phrase 'banality of evil' originates from Hannah Arendt's writings on the trial of Adolf Eichmann, suggesting that evil can be carried out by ordinary people in everyday situations without them recognizing the moral implications. The script references this concept to describe the chilling normalcy of the phone call in the video, where the conversation about tweets and abductions is treated as a mundane negotiation, highlighting the everyday nature of such repressive acts.

Highlights

The video has gone viral in Pakistan despite the country banning Twitter and Dropsite News.

Dropsite News offers a 20% discount for subscriptions, supporting their journalism.

The video showcases an example of transnational repression, where a government represses someone outside its borders.

The concept of transnational repression is explained with hypothetical examples involving China, Poland, and Turkey.

India is noted as a significant purveyor of transnational repression and violence.

Pakistan is now engaging in transnational repression on an industrial scale, as discovered by Dropsite News.

The difficulty in proving transnational repression and the challenges faced by those who testify against it are discussed.

A Pakistani man, now an Australian citizen, starts petitions related to democracy and human rights in Pakistan.

The man's brother in Pakistan is abducted by Men In Black, indicating a state operation.

The video includes a recorded phone call between the Australian man and an individual believed to be from the Pakistani government.

The animation of the phone calls is praised for its execution and the emotional impact it conveys.

The audio recording reveals the banality of the conversation, focusing on the control of social media posts.

The influence of Dropsite News on Pakistani politics is significant, as the reporting has upended the political landscape.

The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to support Dropsite News and Breaking Points.

Transcripts

Emily I want to set up the video that

we're about to play so this is something

that was published on uh drop dropsite

news which again thank you everybody out

there who has uh supported us so far and

we we do still have this uh

counterpoints discount um going on and

we can put this up on the screen just go

to dropsite

news.com uh counterpoints you get 20%

off the the journalism is all free but

the subscriptions are what uh make it

possible so thank you again for doing

that so to set up this video which has

gone absolutely me mega viral in

Pakistan despite the fact that Pakistan

has banned Twitter I was going to say

you have 3.5 million views on this on

Twitter and has actually now banned

dropsite news like we've been banned in

Pakistan and they have taken down

Twitter they even slowed the internet

which throughout Pakistan they're like

they slowed the internet because of

dropsite news uh and it still is going

viral throughout throughout there so the

video is it's a it's 15 minutes and it's

two phone conf

so and it's an example of what's known

as transnational repression which means

that a a government is

repressing somebody outside of its own

borders so let's let's say uh China is

angry at a disident and they go to

Poland and they threaten them in Poland

right or Pakistan or India or lots of

countries do this but other countries

hate it when they do that because so in

the in the hypothetical example I

mentioned there Poland for instance

would hate it not because Poland has any

particular opinion on whatever the thing

is that China and this dissident are

fighting about or Pakistan and a

dissident but because it's it's an

incursion onto polish sovereignty turkey

for

instance um had a diplomatic fit when

Saudi Arabia uh killed Jamal kogi in a

consulate in Turkey right because that

was a slap in the face we can we can we

can do something on your soil and

there's nothing you can do about it so

the but it's also this this is also very

India famously um killed someone in

Canada recently yes and appears to have

killed someone in California last week

uh another a seek activist so and India

um is is one of the biggest purveyors of

this sort of uh repression and violence

but Pakistan is now is is now doing it

as we've discovered on an industrial

scale but it's very hard to prove

and people who testify to it often get

written off as uh either paranoid or

self-aggrandizing or or kind of um

trying to trying to like draw attention

to their cause what because because if

they're someone's coming after them it's

because they're engaged in some sort of

protest or Diss activity this this time

not only was this call recorded I've

heard from a lot of people who have

similarly recorded um calls but they

were willing to publish it which takes

an enormous amount of personal courage

uh because you're already under threat

like that's why they're coming after you

uh and so what's what's going on here

and the example we have is uh a a a

Pakistani man had become a citizen of

Australia his brother was still back in

Pakistan the Australian man did two

things one he started a he started

petition urging people to sign on to a

resolution sponsored by Greg casar and

Susan wild here in the United States

that was just a resolution supporting

democracy basically in Pakistan and

calling him to uh question the elections

of of February 8th he also started a

petition telling the EU that it should

look into its trade deal with Pakistan

which has uh requirements around human

rights and if if Pakistan is violating

those requirements the EU should you

know look at its trade deal just just a

guy in pakist just a guy in Australia

who's a Pakistani descent doing two

petitions his brother gets abducted by

about half a dozen Men In Black and

taken to a jail cell nearby uh and we we

know that this is a government operation

because it's a real jail cell it's not

like they got taken to some basement and

we're trying to get a ransom of of money

like old old school you know movie

kidnappers right a there a jail cell

this a state operation the brother

tweets about the fact uh that his his

brother has been abducted he then gets a

phone call from his brother's number and

and he knows he's been abducted so it's

creepy it's creepy he answers the phone

um and and we can roll uh this anim

animation of these two phone calls and

the animation was done by Isa Gali uh

and she did a terrific job with it oh

yeah um so we can just uh roll this

video here

hello

alikum hello g g TI to

G number

[Music]

G of national

[Music]

g Australian passport

you should mind your own

bus you should not be indulging in

Pakistan's

Affairs C

h

[Music]

[Applause]

username or

password I'm waiting

[Music]

take

take okay okay

sir

hello G hello G hello G sir

Del

and transational

repression Australian

[Music]

rules

twet

delete in next one hour 30

or secondly

secondly for next one month

but for next one month

one mon

yeah you Shar things related to Imran

Khan

illegal how it is illegal

[Laughter]

expain thingsa

[Music]

instability we don't want inability in

this country

you have no right to be

honest person view you may disagree with

it

to Phil all you delete it in next 30

minutes your brother will be at your

home or or

everyone knows what has happened

understanding everyone for

your let me think over it let me sleep

over it

let me sleep over and think about

[Laughter]

[Music]

let me think over it let me think about

it I will not be able to relas

P Rel TW

[Music]

you can keep in touch with me that's

fine not a problem

you following me

yes I'm following you

that's another that's another discussion

for a

topic I'll follow what I

understand 30

minutes I can only tell you

this next 30 minutes

take hello

H for next five days there will be no

twet from your

side we will

try okay

Emily any any reaction to that kind of

harrowing 15 minutes well there's no

surprise to me why this went viral

because the audio in and of itself I

mean the animation is so well done and

poignant and um you know it's just

incredible such a good idea too uh the

execution is amazing the idea itself was

amazing but the raw audio even on its

own is just shocking and it's one of

those things that we didn't used to have

access to before audio could be recorded

I mean you would hear about this stuff

through printed word or word of mouth

but when you sort of are able to

actually it's like you're eavesdropping

on this awful situation this is really

incredible it was it is it Hannah Rett

who wrote the book banality of the

phrase banality of evil there's there

the banality of it just a phone call is

what is what is so striking to me where

they're negotiating over the number of

days that you cannot tweet and what

kinds of things you can't tweet about

and you're like talking about tweets

here right this is just tweets and your

reporting has for a year or plus now

like upended Pakistani politics and our

American viewers might not realize that

like the um the importance of reporting

like this this report itself um that

it's having a Pakistani politics you

mentioned drop site is it's a month old

it is banned in Pakistan this changed

the way that X was working and Twitter

was working in Pakistan you are so like

influential in Pakistani politics

because of this reporting it's very it's

very it's very strange this is not a

path I predicted my journalism would

would take me

uh but it's uh it's been it's been quite

a story to follow um so yeah so guys

dropsite news.com um/ counterpoints um

thank thank you for all your support you

know very deeply appreciated and we'll

have we'll have more to come on this

soon it's incredible stuff hey if you

liked that video don't forget to hit the

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