SCOTT RITTER: DEPLATFORMING FREE SPEECH

Deplatforming speech is a patently un-American action, and yet is happens regularly on YouTube and other online platforms - RITTER

SPECIAL TO THE TRENDS JOURNAL

By Scott Ritter

Earlier this year, I released a two-part documentary, “Agent Zelensky,” which provided a critical look at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s improbable transition from television comedian to wartime leader, and how and why this occurred.

I streamed the video on a YouTube channel, “US Tour of Duty,” managed by my long-time friend and collaborator, Jeff Norman.

Part One was an immediate sensation, garnering a few hundred thousand views in just a few days.

Without warning, YouTube slapped an “age-restricted” throttle on the video, meaning that viewers had to prove that they were 18 or older to see the content. This had a dramatically negative impact on viewership. Jeff appealed the YouTube decision and, to our surprise, won. The “age restriction” was lifted.

When Part 2 was released a week later, it got around 90,000 views in the first 24 hours before – once again – being designated as “age-restricted” by YouTube.

Jeff once again appealed.

This time, YouTube ignored Jeff, instead removing both parts of the documentary from its platform. Jeff appealed this action as well.

YouTube responded by demonetizing the “US Tour of Duty” channel, eliminating any ability to generate income through advertising, donations, or through YouTube’s own monetization programs.

This action was likewise appealed.

This time, YouTube deplatformed the “US Tour of Duty” channel altogether, blocking viewers from seeing not only the two-part “Agent Zelensky” documentary but also the bi-weekly “Ask the Inspector” podcast, which at the time it was deplatformed had garnered a modest 63,000 subscribers and averaged around 75,000 views per episode.

The excuse YouTube gave was “violating community standards.” However, no warning was issued, and no example of the violation(s) in question were provided.

At the same time YouTube took down the US Tour of Duty channel, the company deplatformed a second channel I was involved in which streamed a weekly podcast, “The Scott Ritter Show,” a joint collaboration with the Russian media outlet, Solovyov Live!, in which I interviewed Russian politicians, military officials, academics, and other persons of significance whose voice would otherwise not be heard by an American audience.

This show had attracted some 82,000 subscribers and was getting close to 100,000 views per episode. The excuse for deplatforming: “hate speech.”

“Ask the Inspector” provided a unique opportunity for an international audience to interact directly with a subject-matter expert (me), asking questions about the issues of the day (mostly, but not exclusively, about the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine) for which adequate answers were not forthcoming from the mainstream media.

“The Scott Ritter Show” likewise opened the door for Americans to hear a Russian perspective they could not find anywhere in the mainstream media.

As we approach the 2024 Presidential election, there is a critical need for an informed electorate capable of independently opining on the critical issues of the day. Both of my podcasts provided such information.

YouTube’s precipitous decision to deplatform these shows represents a frontal assault on free speech. Moreover, it is an insult to all intellectually curious citizens who seek access to information denied to them by mainstream media outlets that are more interested in echoing the government narrative than they are about providing accurate, fact-based content.

Fortunately, there are alternatives to YouTube, and both the “Ask the Inspector” and “The Scott Ritter Show” have found a home on the “US Tour of Duty” channel on Rumble. There, one can not only see new episodes of each podcast, but also access the entire library of previous episodes.

Both parts of “Agent Zelensky” are available for viewing as well.

Free speech will survive only if the American people are willing to fight for it—to incorporate the implementation of such into their every essence. It is what helps define who we are as a collective, and its unimpeded practice is the very lifeblood of the nation.

Deplatforming speech is a patently un-American action, and yet is happens regularly on YouTube and other online platforms. Even if one finds the content of my podcasts disagreeable, the solution, according to Supreme Court Justice Louise Brandeis, who oversaw numerous First Amendment cases during the 1920’s and 30’s, is “more speech, not enforced silence.”

More speech, not silence.

It’s the American way.