YouTube and the Kenyan government are at crossroads over a Kenyan music video that promotes homosexuality – an act that is outlawed in Kenya. The video was banned by the Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB) but is still accessible on YouTube.
YouTube however put a disclaimer describing it as potentially inappropriate yet it refused to pull it down.
“The following content has been identified by the YouTube community as being potentially inappropriate. Viewer discretion is advised,” the information read, after which viewers are allowed to choose whether to continue or decline from watching the clip.
The arguments surrounding the video started in February when KFCB flagged the video stating that it contravened Kenya’s laws by promoting gay relationships; it also approached Google asking it to pull it down within a week.
“The video currently circulating on YouTube consists of lyrics that strongly advocate for gay rights in Kenya, complete with graphic sexual scenes between people of the same gender, as well as depiction of nudity and pornography,” said Ezekiel Mutua Chief Executive KFCB in February
According to Mutua, authors and producers of the song did not get a recording licence from the board as required by law.
Homosexual acts are punishable with up to 14 years in prison in Keenya and across Africa, homosexuality is still considered taboo.
“The video might not show in Kenya but YouTube users in other countries may be able to watch it, showing just how tricky it is to regulate the Internet. The KFCB chief executive, Ezekiel Mutua, said Google’s move is acceptable even if it fell short of his demand for a total deletion of the video from YouTube,” CIO reported.
