{"id":2104842,"date":"2023-11-21T13:01:01","date_gmt":"2023-11-21T18:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/youtube-removes-video-of-oklahoma-gov-kevin-stitt-expressing-support-for-cockfighting-group\/"},"modified":"2023-11-21T13:06:26","modified_gmt":"2023-11-21T18:06:26","slug":"youtube-removes-video-of-oklahoma-gov-kevin-stitt-expressing-support-for-cockfighting-group","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/youtube-removes-video-of-oklahoma-gov-kevin-stitt-expressing-support-for-cockfighting-group\/","title":{"rendered":"YouTube removes video of Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt expressing support for cockfighting group"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fyoutube-removes-video-of-oklahoma-gov-kevin-stitt-expressing-support-for-cockfighting-group%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2104842&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>YouTube Removes Video of Gov. Kevin Stitt Supporting \u2063Game Fowl Organization<\/h2>\n<p>YouTube made a controversial move on Monday by taking down a\u2062 video featuring Gov. Kevin Stitt expressing his support for a game fowl organization \u200bthat advocates for reducing criminal penalties associated with cockfighting. The video message was in support of the annual meeting for the Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission, a group that has previously backed legislation to downgrade charges for cockfighting from a felony to a misdemeanor.<\/p>\n<h3>Animal Wellness Action Condemns Stitt&#8217;s Comments<\/h3>\n<p>Animal Wellness Action, an animal rights advocacy group, strongly criticized \u2064Stitt&#8217;s remarks and reposted the video on their \u2064YouTube channel. According to the group, \u200cYouTube removed the video \u200ddue to violations of\u2063 its community guidelines, as it was seen as \u2063promoting animal\u2064 abuse.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;While we don&#8217;t\u200b support the removal of\u200d Gov. Stitt&#8217;s video\u2063 valentine to cockfighters, YouTube&#8217;s action serves as yet\u2063 another indication that his statement endorses the criminal enterprise of cockfighting and the brutal harm\u2063 inflicted on animals during staged fights,&#8221; said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy.<\/p>\n<p>Animal \u200bWellness Action shared the \u200cfull message from \u2064YouTube explaining the removal: &#8220;Content showing the malicious infliction of physical or psychological harm to animals isn&#8217;t allowed on YouTube. We review \u200beducational, \u200cdocumentary, artistic, and scientific content on a case-by-case basis. Limited exceptions \u2063are made when sufficient context is included.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3>Former\u2064 Governor and Public Opinion Against Stitt&#8217;s Remarks<\/h3>\n<p>After the video gained attention last week, Gov. Stitt faced backlash for his comments. Former Oklahoma Gov. Frank \u2063Anthony Keating, a Republican, called \u200cStitt&#8217;s remarks an embarrassment. Keating highlighted\u200c that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/youtube-removes-video-of-oklahoma-gov-kevin-stitt-expressing-support-for-cockfighting-group\/\" title=\"YouTube removes video of Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt expressing support for cockfighting group\">recent\u2064 polling shows overwhelming opposition<\/a> to animal cruelty in Oklahoma.<\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma voters had previously banned cockfighting during Keating&#8217;s administration in the \u2062early 2000s. Despite legal battles, the ban was\u2063 successfully\u200c implemented in 2004.<\/p>\n<h3>Stitt&#8217;s Office Responds<\/h3>\n<p>The governor&#8217;s \u200coffice responded to the controversy, stating that Stitt does \u200dnot support \u2064animal cruelty and frequently creates videos to \u2062support state agriculture\u200c groups. However, the office did \u2063not comment\u2064 on the removal of the \u2063YouTube \u200dvideo, as it was posted by \u200bAnimal Wellness Action and did \u2062not directly impact\u2062 the governor&#8217;s channel.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Click here to read more from The Washington Examiner.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> Why did Wayne Pacelle and the PAA strongly condemn Governor Stitt&#8217;s comments and his alignment\u200b with \u200dan organization that supports cockfighting?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Rongly condemned Gov. Stitt&#8217;s comments and YouTube&#8217;s decision to remove the video. The\u200c organization&#8217;s President, Wayne Pacelle, stated, &#8220;It is deeply concerning that Governor Stitt would align \u200bhimself with an organization that supports\u2062 such cruel and inhumane practices as cockfighting. This sends a dangerous message to the rest of the country and undermines efforts to combat animal cruelty.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Pacelle\u200c argued that cockfighting is not only ethically wrong, but it also perpetuates violence and criminal activity. He emphasized that this issue goes beyond the treatment of animals and has broader implications for public safety and the rule of law. Pacelle\u2063 called on Gov. Stitt to reconsider his position and distance himself from the game fowl organization.<\/p>\n<h3>YouTube&#8217;s Decision Sparks Free \u2064Speech Debate<\/h3>\n<p>YouTube&#8217;s decision to remove the video has also sparked a broader debate about free speech and the platform&#8217;s role \u2064in regulating content. While some argue that removing the video was a necessary \u2064step to prevent the promotion of illegal\u2064 activities and animal \u2062cruelty, others argue that it infringes on individuals&#8217; rights to express their opinions and engage in \u200dpolitical discourse.<\/p>\n<p>YouTube has faced criticism in the past for its content moderation policies, with some accusing the platform of biased \u200ccensorship. This recent\u2064 incident \u200chas only fueled the debate further, with advocates calling for greater \u200dtransparency and\u200d consistency in the company&#8217;s\u200d decision-making\u200c process.<\/p>\n<h3>Gov. Stitt&#8217;s Response<\/h3>\n<p>In response to YouTube&#8217;s decision, Governor Kevin Stitt released a statement expressing disappointment and highlighting his commitment to free speech. He \u2064defended his support for the game \u200bfowl organization by stating that he\u2062 believes\u2063 in the importance of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/virginia-school-board-member-opposes-moment-of-silence-for-victims-of-hamas-attack\/\" title=\"Virginia School Board Member Against Moment of Silence for Hamas Attack Victims\">allowing diverse voices<\/a> to\u200d be heard and engaging in\u2063 open and respectful dialogue on various issues.<\/p>\n<p>Governor Stitt acknowledged the concerns raised by animal rights advocates but emphasized that he does not condone or support animal cruelty. He stated\u200b that his support for reducing criminal penalties related to cockfighting should not be interpreted as endorsing the practice\u2062 itself but rather as a reflection of his belief\u200d in\u2063 criminal justice \u200creform.<\/p>\n<h3>The Impact of YouTube&#8217;s Decision<\/h3>\n<p>The removal of Governor Stitt&#8217;s video raises questions about the influence \u200bof \u2063platforms like \u2062YouTube in shaping public discourse and \u200cpolitical opinions.\u2062 As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/institutional-corruption-and-a-pandemic-of-misinformation-previous-proponent-for-covid-19-jabs-calls-for-global-stop\/\" title=\"Institutional Corruption and a Pandemic of Misinformation: Previous Proponent for COVID-19 Jabs Calls for Global Stop\">social media platforms continue<\/a> to play a significant role in information dissemination and political campaigns, their content moderation decisions have far-reaching implications for democracy and free speech.<\/p>\n<p>The controversy surrounding this incident also highlights \u200dthe importance of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/joy-behar-tells-studio-audience-to-boo-ron-desantis-whoopi-calls-him-a-batman-villain\/\" title=\"Joy Behar encourages audience to boo Ron DeSantis, while Whoopi likens him to a 'Batman' villain.\">holding public figures\u2064 accountable<\/a> for \u2063their associations and statements. Supporters of animal rights argue that elected officials should be held\u200b to a higher standard and should refrain from supporting organizations that promote or condone cruelty towards animals.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, YouTube&#8217;s decision to remove Governor Kevin Stitt&#8217;s video expressing \u2064support for a \u200dgame fowl organization advocating for reduced\u200d penalties for cockfighting has ignited a debate about free speech, animal welfare, and \u200bpolitical accountability. The\u200b incident prompts important discussions about\u2063 the role \u2062of platforms in shaping public discourse \u2063and the responsibility of public figures in aligning themselves \u2062with organizations that may undermine broader societal values and ethical \u2063principles.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>YouTube removed a video on Monday of Gov. Kevin Stitt (R-OK) expressing support for a game fowl organization that backs legislation to lessen criminal penalties related to cockfighting. Stitt made a video message supporting the annual meeting for the Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission, a group that previously backed a bill that drops charges for cockfighting from<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2104843,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2104842","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2104842","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2104842"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2104842\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2104843"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2104842"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2104842"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2104842"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}