I am not a fan of Scott Ritter. I believe that the former United Nations weapons inspector mindlessly echoes Russian propaganda in his defense of the invasion of Ukraine.
Similarly, Scott Ritter does not admire me, and that’s fine. I support his right to speak out and criticize me, U.S. foreign policy, or anything else he wants. This raises the question: Why has Scott Ritter disappeared from YouTube?
According to Ritter, his channel was flagged as hate speech and taken down without warning. He denies any involvement in hate speech and argues that YouTube’s actions are part of a larger pattern of silencing Russian voices, fueled by a disease of Russophobia in America and US-based social media platforms.
However, it’s unclear why Ritter would be targeted for removal while other pro-Russian voices remain on YouTube. I reached out to YouTube for an explanation, but they did not respond by deadline.
Ritter has also not responded to requests for comments, but it’s likely he would argue that he was targeted because of his strong criticism of U.S. involvement in the war and his expertise in the field. While the effectiveness of his arguments is subjective, it’s worth noting that Ritter offers a unique perspective as a former Marine intelligence officer who is willing to openly criticize American policy.
Despite his controversial background, including his imprisonment after being caught in an online underage sex crime sting, Ritter gained prominence for his accurate criticism of the U.S. invasion of Iraq and its false claims about Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction. His broader warnings about the dangers of a proxy war between nuclear powers may also prove to be prophetic.
In an earlier conversation, Ritter stated that he was trying to save the world and wished that more people would engage in meaningful discussions about the topic.
While YouTube is a private company with its own First Amendment rights, it is concerning that platforms like YouTube and Facebook have become powerful monopolies with significant control over who is heard and seen. This was highlighted in a recent ruling where a federal judge in Louisiana restricted the Biden administration from influencing social media platforms’ content, arguing that attempts to combat “misinformation” often resulted in the suppression of conservative speech.
It’s important to recognize that misinformation exists, but what is considered misinformation today may be acknowledged as true tomorrow. No single authority possesses a monopoly on truth. Claims of misinformation and the term “fake news” can sometimes appear to be a way of dismissing information that contradicts one’s political views.
In situations like these, it is crucial to follow the prescription suggested by Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis a century ago. He argued that the response to flawed speech should be more speech. Darin Gerdes, a professor at Charleston Southern University, has taken this approach by using his own YouTube channel to respond to Ritter’s assertions about Ukraine. Gerdes believes that Ritter should be allowed to express his views, even if they may be considered foolish, and that others should have the right to criticize those views.
Gerdes, who monitors Ritter’s channel, has not seen anything that would justify YouTube’s decision to remove it. In fact, he believes that this decision will only enhance Ritter’s appeal, as people tend to be drawn to what they perceive as suppressed or hidden information.
By restricting Ritter’s speech, YouTube is essentially treating him like a forbidden indulgence, making people want to hear his arguments even more, despite knowing that they may not be beneficial.
Dissent is crucial for a healthy democracy, while conformity stifles progress. Although it may be tempting to silence unpopular opinions, we do so at our own risk.
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