Dear Press Reps of YouTube.com :
I am a filmmaker in New York City and have been a great supporter of YouTube since its inception. Your services have greatly contributed to relevant public discourse among citizens who otherwise do not have access to mainstream (read:old) media outlets to voice their thoughts, views, beliefs and opinions. I always tell people YouTube is the greatest democratizing tool ever invented!
However, I am gravely concerned that the following YouTube account, belonging to a citizen journalist and artist, Suzannah B. Troy, has been suspended by YouTube for inexplicable reasons:
However, I am gravely concerned that the following YouTube account, belonging to a citizen journalist and artist, Suzannah B. Troy, has been suspended by YouTube for inexplicable reasons:
I have followed Ms. Troy's blog for a long while now and have even posted blog articles on my film's website, www.thepromiseofnewyork.com, featuring her insightful videos about a citizen's perspective on the current (and controversial) New York City election. These videos are now empty links, as a voice that was once an example of the free speech we enjoy in our city as well as in our country, has now been silenced without explanation by your team.
I am familiar with, and have again read just recently, your terms of use and do not see anything in there that would warrant a suspension of this account.
Your vague rationale for this suspension leads one to consider the possibility that powerful and rich political candidates in the current New York mayoral race, disatisfied with the content of Ms. Troy's videos, might be behind this decision.
It would be a shame if it were so and, as I have always been such a champion of YouTube and its role in enabling people to exercise their right to free speech, I hope it isn't.
Why was Ms. Troy's account suspended? She has posted a few hundred videos (vlogs) focusing on various topics, most importantly on the upcoming (and controversial) city elections here in New York City. Can YouTube.com please explain how it makes the distinction between featuring and highlighting the Iranian citizen journalist videos, meanwhile, supressing Ms. Troy's citizen journalist videos?
I ask that you reconsider your decision and that you promptly reinstate Ms. Troy's account so she can continue to share her valuable insights and opinions to the ongoing discourse about the current election with other New York City voters.
Sincerely,
Raul Barcelona, Filmmaker
New York, NY
www.thepromiseofnewyork.com
I am familiar with, and have again read just recently, your terms of use and do not see anything in there that would warrant a suspension of this account.
Your vague rationale for this suspension leads one to consider the possibility that powerful and rich political candidates in the current New York mayoral race, disatisfied with the content of Ms. Troy's videos, might be behind this decision.
It would be a shame if it were so and, as I have always been such a champion of YouTube and its role in enabling people to exercise their right to free speech, I hope it isn't.
Why was Ms. Troy's account suspended? She has posted a few hundred videos (vlogs) focusing on various topics, most importantly on the upcoming (and controversial) city elections here in New York City. Can YouTube.com please explain how it makes the distinction between featuring and highlighting the Iranian citizen journalist videos, meanwhile, supressing Ms. Troy's citizen journalist videos?
I ask that you reconsider your decision and that you promptly reinstate Ms. Troy's account so she can continue to share her valuable insights and opinions to the ongoing discourse about the current election with other New York City voters.
Sincerely,
Raul Barcelona, Filmmaker
New York, NY
www.thepromiseofnewyork.com
