abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Article

15 Sep 2021

Author:
Robert Coalson,
Author:
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Russia: YouTube blocks election candidate's criticism of the govt., complaints about freedom of speech

See all tags Allegations

YouTube Blocks Russian Candidate's Call For Release Of 'Political Prisoners', 8 September 2021

Internet giant YouTube has blocked RFE/RL's Russian Service and Russia's Dozhd television from using a clip from an August 30 election debate shown on Russian state television in which candidate Maksim Shevchenko called for the release from prison of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny and other "political prisoners."

"The domestic policies of this country are suffocating and oppressive," said Shevchenko, who heads the party list for the Party Of Freedom And Justice in the September 17-19 elections to the State Duma, Russia’s lower parliament chamber. "We have no freedom of speech, freedom of political discussion, or freedom of assembly."

The debate was aired on Rossia-24 state television, which is part of the state-owned All-Russia State Television and Radio Company (VGTRK). VGRTK asked YouTube to block the use of the video, citing copyright infringement...

YouTube did not immediately respond to an e-mailed request for comment...

In a remark posted to his own YouTube channel, Shevchenko said the Russian government does not have the right to claim copyright of "a part of the political process."

Other clips from the debates aired on Rossia-24 and Rossia-1 remain accessible on YouTube...

Timeline

Privacy information

This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies. You can set your privacy choices below. Changes will take effect immediately.

For more information on our use of web storage, please refer to our Data Usage and Cookies Policy

Strictly necessary storage

ON
OFF

Necessary storage enables core site functionality. This site cannot function without it, so it can only be disabled by changing settings in your browser.

Analytics cookie

ON
OFF

When you access our website we use Google Analytics to collect information on your visit. Accepting this cookie will allow us to understand more details about your journey, and improve how we surface information. All analytics information is anonymous and we do not use it to identify you. Google provides a Google Analytics opt-out add on for all popular browsers.

Promotional cookies

ON
OFF

We share news and updates on business and human rights through third party platforms, including social media and search engines. These cookies help us to understand the performance of these promotions.

Your privacy choices for this site

This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies to enhance your experience beyond necessary core functionality.