Thursday June 25, 2009
YouTube Bans New Video of Planned Parenthood Telling Customer Abortion Photos "Not Real"
By Kathleen Gilbert
LOS ANGELES, California, June 25, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Live Action Films, the investigative group responsible for uncovering the illegal practices of Planned Parenthood employees, has released another video showing a Planned Parenthood employee denying that widely disseminated photographs of aborted children are real. However, the video-sharing site YouTube quickly and without explanation removed the video, and the group says YouTube issued Live Action's account a "warning strike."
The video first plays undercover footage of a Planned Parenthood counselor from Tucson, AZ telling a patient that images of aborted fetuses are "not real."
Following a warning for graphic content, photographs of first-trimester abortion victims, similar to those regularly used on pro-life signs and websites were displayed, along with the website for their documentation of authenticity.
Acknowledging that Youtube does not permit "shock" videos, Live Action Films defended the video, saying: "Our video is clearly not a shock video as the graphic content is providing with a warning and a reasonable context for display. It is clear that our video passes the standard provided by the following YouTube Policy."
Lila Rose of Live Actions is calling on YouTube to re-instate the video in accordance with its own guidelines.
"Since the video we posted does not violate any terms of use, we expect YouTube to re- instate it immediately," said Rose. "YouTube's own 'Community Guideline Tips' advise that intense or disturbing imaging should be 'balanced with additional context and information,' which is exactly what Live Action has done."
YouTube has removed videos posted by Live Action without explanation before, including videos showing Planned Parenthood employees caught on tape sympathizing with donors with racist agendas who explain that they are donating to the organization to encourage the abortion of black babies.
Live Action's videos use undercover tactics to expose fraudulent practices in the abortion industry and are similar to other "sting" investigations which journalists often post on YouTube. The most recent video is part of Live Action's Mona Lisa Project, which documents abusive practices in Planned Parenthood facilities across the nation.
Footage released to date has caught on hidden camera six Planned Parenthood facilities in three states ignoring their mandatory reporting responsibilities for statutory rape and protecting adult-child sexual relationships.
Recently the Tennessee State Legislature used undercover footage from Live Action to help divert nearly $1 million in taxpayer subsidies from Planned Parenthood, and in California the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted to end a nearly $300,000 contract with the abortion provider.
"New media is vital to educating the public about the shocking realities of abortion practice in America," said Rose. "Our videos show hard truths about the abortion industry that must be seen and dealt with.
"Lawmakers and their constituents are recognizing this, but YouTube does everyone a disservice when they cooperate with Planned Parenthood in burying the evidence of abuse."
For more information, visit Live Action's website.
To contact YouTube:
YouTube, LLC
901 Cherry Ave.
San Bruno, CA 94066
Phone: 650.253.0000
Fax: 1.650.253.0001
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
YouTube Blocks Videos Exposing Planned Parenthood's Support for Race-Selective Abortion