Rumble Slams British Lawmakers Over ‘Disturbing’ Demand To Demonetize Russell Model After Sexual Assault Allegations

September 22, 2023

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Topline

Rumble, a self-styled anti-censorship video website common amongst right-wing commentators and conspiracy theorists, slammed British lawmakers on Wednesday for asking whether or not it will cease Russell Model from getting cash on the platform owing to allegations of sexual assault, shunning what it mentioned was a “cancel tradition mob” and portray the comic as one other tradition wars sufferer.

YouTube demonetized content material from comic and actor Russell Model following allegations of sexual … [+] assault and rape.

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Key Information

Rumble criticized the “deeply inappropriate and harmful” letter Dame Caroline Dinenage, the chair of Britain’s Home of Commons media committee, had despatched to chief govt Chris Pavlovski concerning Model, who denies the allegations.

Within the letter, which Rumble posted on X alongside its reply, Dinenage mentioned she was “involved” Model may be capable of revenue from his content material on the platform and requested if he was nonetheless capable of monetize content material in mild of the “severe allegations towards him.”

Rumble rejected Parliament’s “demand” and mentioned it “clearly deplores sexual assault, rape, and all severe crimes” however wouldn’t bow down and be part of a “cancel tradition mob.”

Singling the comic out for a ban is especially “disturbing” because the allegations have “nothing to do” with Rumble or Model’s content material on it, the letter mentioned.

Whereas it might not agree with the habits of many creators posting content material, Rumble mentioned it refuses to penalize them for “actions that don’t have anything to do with our platform.”

Information Peg

YouTube on Tuesday mentioned it was “demonetizing” Model’s accounts within the wake of the allegations towards him, successfully slicing a significant supply of revenue for the comic. The Google-owned platform mentioned Model had violated its “creator duty coverage” and it was taking motion to “defend the neighborhood.” Although it’s uncommon for YouTube to demonetize creators for his or her habits off of the platform, it’s not with out precedent and the positioning has demonetized magnificence influencer James Charles and web character David Dobrik prior to now for related causes.

Key Background

Model was accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013 by 4 girls as a part of an investigation by main British information retailers over the weekend. He strongly denies the allegations and forward of the story going stay preemptively posted a video to YouTube, Rumble and different platforms on Friday, dismissing the claims as “a litany of extraordinarily egregious and aggressive assaults.” Model acknowledged he was “very promiscuous” on the top of his fame however insisted his relationships had been “at all times consensual.” For the reason that report, Model has misplaced his e book deal with Pan Macmillan, been dropped by his administration company, been ditched by charities and had dates for his “Bipolarisation” tour postponed. Model, in addition to allied commentators, has since moved to fashion himself as a sufferer of a “cancel tradition” warfare.

What To Watch For

Dinenage has additionally written to different media firms asking whether or not Model can revenue from his content material and whether or not they plan on performing in mild of the allegations towards him. She has approached TikTok and reportedly X, and Instagram. In line with the BBC, TikTok’s vp for public coverage in Europe, Theo Bertram, mentioned Model has by no means been a part of its “creator fund” monetization program and mentioned it will hold the comic’s content material “underneath overview.” Dinenage additionally requested X chief govt Linda Yaccarino whether or not Elon Musk, who purchased the platform final 12 months, had ever “personally intervened in any choices” on Model’s standing on the platform.

Tangent

Musk, additionally a self-styled champion of free speech, described the letter to Rumble as “outrageous habits by this minister of censorship!” In one other X submit, he mentioned “accusations don’t imply somebody is responsible,” stressing that willpower is “for the courts to resolve.” He mentioned he had spoken together with his ex spouse Talulah Riley, a British actress who labored with Model on the 2007 film St. Trinian’s, who was “stunned to listen to these allegations” and felt the comic was “at all times well mannered and gentlemanly to her.”