Ben Shapiro weighed in on YouTube’s “Vox Adpocalypse” on Friday by blasting Vox’s claims that Carlos Maza, the reporter trying to deplatform conservative comedian Steven Crowder, is being “silenced.”
Throngs of successful YouTube hosts — and their supporters — responded in anger this week after a campaign to have “Louder with Crowder” terminated for “harassment” damaged them.
Vox’s Editor-in-chief Lauren Williams and Head of Video Joe Posner penned a defense of their reporter after Mr. Crowder’s channel, along with many others, were demonetized for harm against YouTube’s “broader community.”
“This, right here, from @voxdotcom … is a vile lie,” Mr. Shapiro began a series of tweets. “Maza has not been silenced in any way. The only people seeking to silence are those who demand Crowder be deplatformed because Maza’s precious feelings were supposedly hurt. This entire letter from Vox leadership is pathetic and ridiculous.”
From me and @joeposner: https://t.co/zlIG4QXFwU
— Lauren Williams (@laurenwilliams) June 7, 2019
The eponymous star of “The Ben Shapiro Show” went on to call Vox “Media Matters with a veneer of journalism.”
Ms. Williams and Mr. Posner told readers on Friday that YouTube turns a “blind eye to abuse,” a reference in part to YouTube’s initial claim on Tuesday that Mr. Crowder did not run afoul of its terms of service.
“Our efforts to protect Carlos and others from historically marginalized groups from being silenced or driven from the platform by incessant harassment are in line with these values,” the duo wrote. “We appreciate YouTube’s efforts to work to improve your hate speech policy and your recent commitment to seriously review your harassment policy, and understand that making the internet a safer place while protecting political speech is a complicated, difficult task. This Pride Month, change more than your logo. Clarify and enforce your harassment policy.”
Mr. Crowder has maintained that his rhetoric is no different and perhaps tamer than many late-night comedians who attack conservatives from the left.
Similarly, the conservative asserts that an outspoken LGBTQ activist who literally refers to himself as a “gaywonk” cannot claim harassment for being called “gay” or “queer” during the course of political commentary.
This, right here, from @voxdotcom EIC Lauren Williams and Head of Video Joe Posner, is a vile lie. Maza has not been silenced in any way. The only people seeking to silence are those who demand Crowder be deplatformed because Maza’s precious feelings were supposedly hurt. pic.twitter.com/ryS4J70xc9
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) June 7, 2019
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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