Anti-U.S. Attack Videos Spread on Web
Anti-U.S. Attack Videos Spread on Web
Videos of Iraqi attacks against U.S. soldiers in Iraq are starting to make their way onto popular video-sharing sites such as YouTube and Google video. These videos are, for the most part, of sniper attacks and small bombings with improvised explosive devices. These videos are being posted by mostly U.S. citizens who have found them through other channels. Some videos do not show American soldiers being seriously injured, however others show soldiers on the ground bleeding and being loaded onto emergency helicopters.
Pictures of dead soldiers are closely monitored by the Bush administration and often are not disclosed to the American public. These shared videos however are giving average citizens a level of access to combat scenes never seen before. However, many of these videos have been removed from YouTube. Youtube has done this in reaction to complaints from other users. The New York Times has record of over 48 videos that were removed thus far. Both YouTube and Google video have user guidelines that prohibit the posting of videos with graphic violence. There is a policy to remove any videos that are intended to deceive or shock and disgust viewers with regards to warfare (U.S or any other).
Still, many of the videos remain, often labeled in Arabic making it difficult for American users to locate them. Also, new videos are continuously added with much of the same material as the ones before them which were deleted. Russell K. Terry, a Vietnam veteran with mixed feelings toward the videos noted, “It’s unfortunate there’s no way to stop it…this is what these guys are over there fighting for: freedom of speech.” Other users had similar things to say. They were disgusted by the videos, however they did not feel that the videos should be censored, and that their respective news stations are unwilling to tell the truths of the war.
Picture of Iraq found here
posted by jfight at 8:21:00 PM
2 Comments:
War is reality. I can’t seem to remember a time growing up where the United States was not involved in some kind of confrontation with another country. It does not have to be like this, but currently this is how things are. The media censors enough information via television, radio and print and now, surprisingly…the internet. This is disturbing. War is extremely graphic and I strongly feel that depictions of war should be, uncut, and available to the public. A great example of this was shown through Steven Spielberg’s 1993 film Schindler’s List, which recounts the horrors endured by the Jews. We should stop focusing on censorship of real depictions of violent warfare and put our efforts into ceasing war altogether.
Regards,
Michael
6:42 PM
This whole youtube regulating videos is very interesting. I personally go on youtube all the time so I am aware of the content and the war videos in particular. However, I do not believe that anyone should complain about the videos unless they are directed there by being tricked or some other sleezy way. I say, too the average user, if you have a problem with the graphic nature of the videos than simply do not search for them. And you are able to see a frame of what you are about to watch along with a description so there is really no possibility for one to not know what they are about to view. Also, it is important that people outside of the war get to see what is going on. It keeps the government in check cause they know their citizens are seeing what is really happening over there.
6:16 PM
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