Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) penned a letter this week to YouTube after it was revealed the social media giant demonetized a news video discussing a story how former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli allegedly sexually assaulted Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai.
An episode of Breaking Points, a YouTube show hosted by Saagar Enjeti and Krystal Ball, was demonetized after it ran a segment discussing the disappearance of the tennis star, the Federalist reports.
“Despite the CCP’s history of human rights violations and ‘disappearing’ its own citizens, YouTube chose to demonetize the video. According to YouTube, ‘it isn’t suitable for all advertisers,’ and ‘will continue to run limited or no ads,” Blackburn said in her letter addressed to Susan Wojcicki, CEO of Youtube.
According to a press release sent out by Blackburn’s office, YouTube, which has publicly promoted the MeToo movement, is helping Beijing rewrite history.
“It apparently is not enough that YouTube takes steps to censor American citizens. Now it is working with the CCP to promote its dangerous viewpoints around the world,” Blackburn said. “I understand that the creators of the news program appealed YouTube’s decision, but it was upheld by your content reviewers.”
According to FOX News, Peng Shuai has not been seen in public ever since she accused Gaoli, a former member of the Communist Party’s ruling Standing Committee, of sexual assault.
In concluding her letter, Blackburn asks that YouTube responds to these three questions by November 29th:
- Why did YouTube demonetize the news program referenced above? Which of your content moderation criteria did it violate?
- Did you remove this content at the behest of the Chinese Communist Party?
- Please identify all other instances, if any, when YouTube has demonetized, blocked, or deleted content at the behest of the Chinese Communist Party.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]
