Russell Brand claims he’s been ‘censored’ by YouTube for ‘relatively small error’
The 47-year-old’s video was apparently removed by YouTube over ‘covid misinformation’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Russell Brand claims he’s been “censored” by YouTube for making a “relatively small error” on the platform.
After having a video removed from the video streaming service, Brand has now swapped to alternative platform Rumble, which he claims will enable him to talk more “freely”.
“We have officially been censored by YouTube,” the 47-year-old claimed in a clip posted this week.
“They took down one of our videos for misinformation, but why are big media organisations not censored for misinformation in the same way? Is it because YouTube are part of the mainstream media now?”
He said YouTube originally removed his video because it “cited information on official government websites, which we misinterpreted”.
However, Brand claims that he uploaded an apology video for the “error” made, which he has now deleted to mirror YouTube’s decision and avoid risk of accidentally making the claim again.
“YouTube took down our original video, we’ve taken down the apology video because in case we reiterate the claim while apologising for it,” Brand explained.
“We made an error, in my opinion a relatively small error, and we are being penalised, and for me that looks like censorship.”
Brand will now be hosting an hour-long live stream five days a week from Rumble.
In another video posted to YouTube, Brand hit back at the channel, claiming that mainstream news channels have also spread incorrect information and haven’t been penalised in the same way.
In the video, he refers to a clip that remains on the platform, where MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow says that “the virus stops with every vaccinated person.”
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
But Brand argued that it is widely known that “the vaccine does not prevent you from spreading it.”
“Why are independent channels being attacked, censored and brought down while mainstream media channels are being pushed, highlighted and celebrated?” he argued.
Scientists are currently rethinking their strategy about fighting future variants of Covid, by aiming for higher levels of protecting by blocking infections altogether.