It was revealed Wednesday that YouTube had placed a warning on the 2016 documentary Ukraine on Fire by executive producer Oliver Stone. Video streaming platform Rumble then announced that the producers had uploaded the film to its site.
“BREAKING NEWS: YouTube removed @TheOliverStone‘s documentary, ‘Ukraine on Fire.’ We believe the public should decide what it sees, not Google execs. We’re proud to announce the producers uploaded the film to Rumble, enabling anyone who wishes to view it,” Rumble tweeted.
On YouTube, when a user clicks on the film via the production company Global Tree Pictures’s channel, the screen goes black and displays an inappropriate content warning. Viewers can still watch it, however, by clicking that they wish to proceed.
RUSSIA BLOCKS FACEBOOK, TWITTER, AND YOUTUBE IN RETALIATION
BREAKING NEWS: YouTube removed @TheOliverStone‘s documentary, “Ukraine on Fire.” We believe the public should decide what it sees, not Google execs. We’re proud to announce the producers uploaded the film to Rumble, enabling anyone who wishes to view ithttps://t.co/aIqBs2zH4m
— Rumble (@rumblevideo) March 9, 2022
YouTube’s Policy Communications Manager Ivy Choi told the Washington Examiner that the documentary’s violent content warranted the warning. The video had been up for 10 months before the platform censored it.
“We removed this video for violating our violent or graphic content policy, which prohibits content containing footage of corpses with massive injuries, such as severed limbs — for example, videos of beheadings,” Choi explained. There are smaller channels that have re-uploaded the documentary, though Choi said YouTube will take their videos down.
“While we do allow content with educational, documentary, scientific, or artistic content, for some categories, we have a higher bar, and we do not make exceptions for certain kinds of violent or graphic content,” Choi added.
Meanwhile, Rumble is streaming the documentary for free. It can also be purchased on Amazon Prime. Global Tree Pictures appeared to have created the Rumble account Wednesday and has so far uploaded two videos.
Reporter Sharyl Attkisson claimed that according to “recent experience,” censorship will only serve to “[elevate] its importance and relevance.”
The ’16 doc “Ukraine on Fire” is now censored on YouTube which– based on recent experience– elevates its importance and relevance.
It includes long term history & views from both sides in Ukraine. @TheOliverStone @WatchingSean
Still on Amazon.https://t.co/QfaAxAmL2t— Sharyl Attkisson?️♂️ (@SharylAttkisson) March 9, 2022
Ukraine on Fire isn’t Stone’s most recent documentary on Ukraine, as he also appeared in Revealing Ukraine in 2019. The latest film is also flagged on YouTube.
Stone has famously interviewed Russian President Vladimir Putin and directed the blockbuster Snowden, with Joseph Gordon-Levitt playing the titular role.
Sean Stone, his son, was previously an anchor for RT, Russia’s state-sponsored English news outlet. YouTube removed RT from its platform in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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The Washington Examiner reached out to Rumble and Sean Stone but did not receive responses.
