YouTube Iraq Deaths Footage – A Case for Censorship?

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Whilst I have firm beliefs that the internet should, in as far as it is possible, remain free from the shackles of blanket censorship, I find myself in somewhat of a quagmire with respect to a series of videos that have become available on the YouTube video posting site.

The videos in question, all of which have been uploaded by the same user (who I will not name), show extremely graphic footage of US troops being blown up and shot and, perhaps all to predictably, they are proving to be extremely popular with the sites audience. In one clip, for example, a solider is filmed getting out of his vehicle only to be engulfed in flames as a remote bomb is detonated beside him.

“Gimf-Jihad-Hidden-Camera from 2005”, which describes itself as (and I quote) a “Very funny video about Jihad attacks on genocide American Forces” has been viewed a startling 5844 times (at the time of writing). Another video has even been dubbed with Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” as a soundtrack. Do excuse me if, whilst I get the intended pun, I don’t find it in the remotest bit amusing – or even particularly inspired.

Whilst I cannot count myself as being one of those in favour of invading Iraq, on a human level, I believe that, regardless of my personal point of view, showing deaths of any sort as a means of cheap, propagandist entertainment is abhorrent – whomever the target, whomever the perpetrator.

Curiously, it even transpires that the poster of these videos is an 18 year old from Mexico who claims that he reason for posting them is to show that US forces are not having a “good time” in Iraq. So, posting these videos is an act on conscience it would seem.

Unfortunately, the poster concerned seems to display little in the way of conscience when it comes to the families, children and friends of those shown being killed or, for that matter, for all those from numerous nationalities related to those serving in Iraq.

What are your thoughts concerning such footage being posted as cheap entertainment on YouTube? Should such footage be censored, or do these clips constitute a valid statement and/or political perspective relating to an ongoing war? I know which side of the fence I fall on.

Please feel free to leave a comment, and let the discussion begin.

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