The channel was Suspended on April 12, after openDemocracy contacted it to ask whether some of the contents violated the platform’s community guidelines.
According to a YouTube spokesperson who told openDemocracy;
"YouTube’s Community Guidelines prohibit hate speech and we remove flagged videos and comments that violate these policies. In this case we have terminated the channel. "YouTube prohibits content which alleges that someone is mentally ill, diseased, or inferior because of their membership in a protected group including sexual orientation."
Daina Rudusa, spokesperson for OutRight Action International, the global LGBTIQ human rights organisation also reacted;
"It is great to see social media platforms take a greater role in tackling these harmful practices by banning accounts spouting hate speech and promoting conversion practices. “So-called conversion therapy is neither therapy, nor does it result in conversion” and it has been recognised as being “tantamount to torture."
When openDemocracy asked TB Joshua Ministries to comment on its pastor’s actions towards LGBT people, and on its 1.8 million subscribers YouTube channel being terminated for hate speech, the ministry did not respond.
However, it has launched a social media campaign to contest the decision which it claims was made in haste.
TB Joshua however confirmed that his YouTube channel was suspended in a tweet he shared.
He wrote;
EMMANUEL TV YOUTUBE SUSPENSION:
Our mission is to share the love of God with everyone - irrespective of race or religion - and we strongly oppose all forms of hate speech! We have had a long and fruitful relationship with YouTube and believe this decision was made in haste.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Emmanuel TV YouTube Channel Suspension!!! Emmanuel TV’s mission is to share the love of God with everyone - irrespective of race or religion - and we strongly oppose all forms of hate speech! We have had a long and fruitful relationship with YouTube and believe this decision was made in haste. We appreciate your prayers and support as we are making every effort to appeal this decision and see the channel restored.
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