Take down on Iran protest video limits free speech when BBC does not own the video

Stephen Pate. NJN Network, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, June 21, 2009 with story from BBC News

Yesterday we posted an amateur video, clearly labeled as such, on YouTube. We originally saw it on BBC News’ website but it was all over the TV news and Internet as the day went on.We gave BBC attribution noting it was amateur.

Within an hour on YouTube, the BBC protested our posting and YouTube blocked the video world wide.

BBC did not have a copyright to the video. In order to claim copyright, a bogus claim right off the bat, one of their employees who signed a waiver of copyright would have to be the videographer.

It wasn’t. The video came from an amateur on the streets of Tehran while the BBC reporters were sequestered in the hotel. If the BBC acquired the copyright, another bogus idea, they would need proof. They offered none on their website. Here’s their disclaimer,

“Amateur video has emerged apparently showing show tear gas being used against protesters demonstrating on Saturday against Iran’s election result.

The BBC cannot verify the authenticity of the footage.” BBC News

It would be bad enough if they tried to limit the dissemination of this story for profit. The BBC is a non-profit crown corporation. To limit the Iran story by any means is unethical but to be expected of the traditional media who are threatened by the democracy of the Internet and now cell phone journalism.  This is an Internet story with the traditional media on the sidelines.

A Bronx Cheer for BBC and their bogus control of the story.

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