A video expressing my opinion of QAnon-believing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and her suspension from Twitter that posted last night on the Scoot On The Air YouTube Channel was quickly removed by YouTube for violating the platform’s rules against harassment and bullying.
In getting the notice from YouTube that my video had been removed for violating the rules there was an opportunity for me to appeal. Confident that I was well within my rights to express an opinion that did not cross the line of harassment and bullying rules, I appealed; and YouTube immediately reinstated the video about MTG.
In my appeal to YouTube, I pointed out that I do a radio talk show on WWL in New Orleans. There are people who would love to silence my opinions, and I assumed that someone who did not like my message reported the video to YouTube and they reacted.
I was shocked that YouTube initially removed the video; and before I wrote my appeal, I reviewed what I had just posted. The only possible areas of contention might have been my asking the question, “Is MTG smart enough to tell the truth?” I answered the question with, “Sh** no, she's not!” Remember, this is YouTube where there is greater freedom to be expressive!
The other point that might have been controversial to someone viewing was my declaration that “Marjorie Taylor Greene is a clown show - she’s a sh** show.”
My appeal stated that I was expressing my opinion, and what I expressed did not rise to the level of harassment or bullying. YouTube must have agreed because moments after I submitted my appeal the video was back up on the SOTA YT Channel.
Calling someone “stupid” or a “clown show” or even a “sh** show” is not harassment or bullying. It is an expression of my opinion about a congresswoman who is using social media to spread lies. The original reason I did the video on MTG was to explain why her most recent suspension from Twitter was not censorship - but was holding someone posting accountable to the truth.
In the video I pointed out that “the conservative voice is not being censored - lies are being censored.” That is an example of a social media platform acting as an editor or a new director. Editors and news directors hold journalists and anchors accountable to the truth and social media platforms, not only have a right, but have an obligation to hold individuals posting accountable.
In responding to my appeal, YouTube essentially said that anyone can complain about content, but that malicious complaints from viewers who are trying to control a message will not stand.
This is a case of one or more extreme right-wing activists attempting to control a message with which they simply disagree. That is the definition of censorship.
The entire video about MTG is currently posted on the Scoot On The Air YouTube Channel. I applaud YouTube for accepting my rational appeal and reinstating the video.
