YouTube Demonetizing Russell Brand Should Have You Worried

British comedian and actor Russell Brand has found himself is the midst of huge controversy as a number of women have come forward accusing him of rape, sexual grooming and abuse over the last few decades. While Brand has denied all the allegations, when coupled with his off color humor, his admitted promiscuity and a number of reexamined quotes from some of his famous female co-stars it all paints a not so good picture for him. Still, this current crop of allegations against yet another male celebrity brings about questions of fairness and due process as it relates to the court of public opinion and more importantly how large media companies react to allegations that have yet to be proven in any court of law. Recently Youtube announced it was demonetizing all of Brand’s videos on its platform as its European head said “he will no longer be able to make a living” on  Youtube; This despite the company admitting he had not violated any of its terms or services on the Platform itself.  “The conversation has definitely switched to you’re guilty as soon as you’re accused as opposed to the former wait and see.” Says entertainment executive, producer and lawyer Warren D. Robinson, “while people have a right to feel as they do (and considering the number of allegations and their seriousness I get why they would be turning on Brand) the bigger question for me is what role should media companies play? We had this issues with covid, the last election, etc… I just think it’s dangerous when companies start using arbitrary methods to ban, silence and demonetize people they simply don’t like or agree with.”  Robinson points out that government leaders in the United Kingdom have been reaching out to platforms questioning them on if they are planning to demonetize Brand from their platforms, saying he feels crosses the line. “The market should dictate if and how people are able to monetize their platforms.” Says Robinson, “If individual advertisers want to pull their products because they don’t want to be associated with Brand, so be it. If people chose to not watch his videos (which will decrease his ability to make money) because they find him repulsive that’s perfectly fine. What is not ok, in my opinion, is having British MP’s reach out and encourage (or at least give the appearance they are encouraging) platform’s to take action against a citizen for something that currently only amounts to allegations.” Robinson is clear he is in no way defending Russell Brand but overall fairness. “Sites like Youtube are global public squares, so they have a different responsibility than other forms of media.” Says Robinson,  “You can’t tell me Youtube knows the personal behaviors of all its creators. When you start punishing people for behavior that happens off platform with no defined criteria it’s arbitrary and capricious and will no doubt silence the voices the platform leaders don’t like while allowing the one’s it favors to be amplified.”

According to a statement, “Entertainment executive and producer, Warren D. Robinson believes that when organizations are willing to have open and honest conversations about race and their own bias they can commit to meaningful change. We have seen this recently in the form of Hollywood award shows, particularly, the Grammys and the Academy Awards (Oscars). The Recording Academy and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have both taken concrete steps to diversify their ranks and address inherit biases in their voting processes. As a result we have the most diverse crop of award winners/nominees, respectively, we’ve ever seen. Contrast that with the scandal and production shutdown currently at CBS’s The Talk, which resulted because a co-host was unable to properly engage in a conversation about race, address her own bias and commit to doing better. ‘The key part to every conversation’ Warren says, ‘starts with listening. Listening and hearing are different and if you are unable to listen then you are unable to have a conversation.’

 

“Warren D. Robinson, is an avid and accomplished entertainment executive, motivational speaker, host, life coach and award winning producer who created the wildly popular series, Buried by the Bernards, which is currently streaming on Netflix.

 

“Warren has served as an entertainment consultant, manager and producer, facilitating, appearing and negotiating high powered deals on behalf of his clients in front of such companies as: Warner Brothers, BET, CNN, Freemantle, Best Buy, TV ONE, Netflix, Lifetime, Fox News, WE TV, E!, NBC Universal, Viacom and more. In addition, Warren’s entertainment prowess includes coordinating, partnering and/or producing events for: legendary actress Pam Grier, Taraji P Henson, Gabrielle Union, Vivica A Fox, Soul singer Eddie Levert (of the O’Jays), Comedian Mike Epps, Angie Stone, Flavor Flav, the Indianapolis Colts, Donna Joyner-Richardson, Stephanie Mills, Erykah Badu and Tom Joyner among others. Warren graduated from Indiana University (B.A.-Political Science) and Howard University School Of Law (J.D.).”

Learn more about Warren D. Robinson and his work here.

 

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LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW IN ITS ENTIRETY HERE