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Advocacy Blog
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Lieberman Urges Google to Remove Content from YouTube
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), has asked Google to remove Internet video content distribution of material produced by terrorist groups through YouTube. According to Lieberman's press release, the videos "show assassinations, deaths of U.S. soldiers and civilians, weapons training, incendiary speeches by al-Qaeda leadership, and other material intended to encourage violence against the West." Lieberman references the recently released report by the committee that details how dangerous the Internet can be as a way to spread support for terrorist activities.
In a letter Lieberman explains that removing offensive content "should be a straightforward task since so many of the Islamist terrorist organizations brand their material with logos or icons identifying their provenance." He also asks that Google explains how it will enforce YouTube "community guidelines to address violent extremist material."
According to The Hill Google rejected this request, "claiming the action would stifle the 'free speech' the Google-owned site YouTube encourages. . . . 'YouTube encourages free speech and defends everyone's right to express unpopular points of view,' the company replied. '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."
Posted by Amanda Adams
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