YouTube and the sexual assault video
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 7:36 pm
Why YouTube won't remove
Egyptian sexual assault video
Egypt arrested 13 men in connection with sexual assaults. But Egyptian President Sissi also asked YouTube to remove a video showing a woman being sexually assaulted in Tahrir Square. Why YouTube has refused.
By David Clark Scott, Staff writer
The Christian Science Monitor
YouTube has refused to remove a video showing an Egyptian woman being sexually assaulted.
That's a difficult call, but probably the right one.
Imagine the negative global reaction if YouTube - which is owned by Google, Inc. - had acquiesced to Egyptian officials. YouTube would have been accused of helping to cover up Egypt's sexual assault problem: An estimated 250 women have been subjected to mob sexual harassment or assaults during demonstrations in Tahrir Square since November 2012.
On Saturday, Egyptian officials announced that 13 men will be tried for assaulting at least three women before and during celebrations in Tahrir Square after Sunday's inauguration of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Egypt's state news agency MENA said that men are charged with kidnapping, assault, theft, torture, attempted murder, and rape. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
But the news agency also said that the prosecutor was investigating the person who shot and uploaded the video of the attack, calling it a "violation of public decency."
During a televised visit to the woman shown being attacked in the YouTube video, President Sisi promised to have the video taken down: "I have come to tell you and every Egyptian woman that I am sorry. I am apologizing to every Egyptian woman."
YouTube has reportedly taken down copies of the video in which the woman can be identified. But because YouTube officials consider the attack newsworthy, it has left up versions that blur her image. YouTube asks viewers who want to watch the assault to verify that they are at least 18 years old.
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Egyptian sexual assault video
Egypt arrested 13 men in connection with sexual assaults. But Egyptian President Sissi also asked YouTube to remove a video showing a woman being sexually assaulted in Tahrir Square. Why YouTube has refused.
By David Clark Scott, Staff writer
The Christian Science Monitor
YouTube has refused to remove a video showing an Egyptian woman being sexually assaulted.
That's a difficult call, but probably the right one.
Imagine the negative global reaction if YouTube - which is owned by Google, Inc. - had acquiesced to Egyptian officials. YouTube would have been accused of helping to cover up Egypt's sexual assault problem: An estimated 250 women have been subjected to mob sexual harassment or assaults during demonstrations in Tahrir Square since November 2012.
On Saturday, Egyptian officials announced that 13 men will be tried for assaulting at least three women before and during celebrations in Tahrir Square after Sunday's inauguration of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Egypt's state news agency MENA said that men are charged with kidnapping, assault, theft, torture, attempted murder, and rape. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
But the news agency also said that the prosecutor was investigating the person who shot and uploaded the video of the attack, calling it a "violation of public decency."
During a televised visit to the woman shown being attacked in the YouTube video, President Sisi promised to have the video taken down: "I have come to tell you and every Egyptian woman that I am sorry. I am apologizing to every Egyptian woman."
YouTube has reportedly taken down copies of the video in which the woman can be identified. But because YouTube officials consider the attack newsworthy, it has left up versions that blur her image. YouTube asks viewers who want to watch the assault to verify that they are at least 18 years old.
MORE
