Google has said on its blog that it will not remove certain videos from YouTube at the request of U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT), who had demanded their removal on the grounds that they were “produced by terrorist organizations” and/or showed depictions of “gratuitous violence” or hate. And Google did remove some of these videos, “primarily because they depicted gratuitous violence, advocated violence, or used hate speech.” However, they stood up to him and did not delete most of the videos his staff flagged:
Senator Lieberman stated his belief, in a letter sent today, that all videos mentioning or featuring these groups should be removed from YouTube — even legal nonviolent or non-hate speech videos. While we respect and understand his views, YouTube encourages free speech and defends everyone’s right to express unpopular points of view. We believe that YouTube is a richer and more relevant platform for users precisely because it hosts a diverse range of views, and rather than stifle debate we allow our users to view all acceptable content and make up their own minds. Of course, users are always free to express their disagreement with a particular video on the site, by leaving comments or their own response video. That debate is healthy.
Good on Google for not letting themselves get bullied by Joe Lieberman, and for striking a blow for free speech and open debate. How did Lieberman turn into a despicable douchebag?
Hat-tip: Think Progress
Tags: america, blogosphere, free speech, google, internet, joe lieberman, media, news, politics
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20 May 2008 at 11:48 am
Elisabeth
But…what about the other videos? Why should it be okay for them to censor any of them? It’s not google’s job to censor the internet for “hate speech” or even “excessive violence”. I mean, it could perhaps tag certain sites and say “visit this at your own risk–it’s got such-and-such in it”…but the whole point of the internet is that anyone can say anything on it. Unless it’s a direct incitement to violence, I guess.
Shudder.