KY State Police Tried Forcing YouTube To Censor This Video…

September 19, 2015September 19, 2015 Steven Thomas 1661 Views Accountability, assault, audio, Brutality, Cameron, Censorship, chase, Civil rights, cop block, copblock, copblock.org, Corruption, Dishonesty, Double Standard, double-standards, Drug war, excessive force, freedom, Full, Harassment, Homicide, Illegal search/entry, joseph, Justice System, Kentucky, killed, police, police abuse, police accountability, Police brutality, Police State, Ponder, rights, shot, Surveillance, Transparency, Trooper, video

12027302_10153738730735676_8564399338740415036_o — Trooper Ponder

In a shocking move against Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press, Kentucky State Police are DEMANDING that YouTube take down any submission that contains audio of Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder’s final radio transmission, before he was murdered (Skip to 7:45 in the video).

Trooper Cameron was shot and killed after a traffic stop and subsequent nine mile chase. According to police, 25-year-old Joseph Thomas Johnson-Shanks, was the person suspected of killing the trooper.

Here is the official statement from the Kentucky State Police, taken from their Facebook page:

KSP Statement on Tpr. Ponder’s Final Radio Transmission

The Kentucky State Police (KSP) has received an extremely high volume of inquiries regarding the audio release of Trooper Cameron Ponder’s final radio transmission, before he was murdered. An Internet-based scanning service, not affiliated with the KSP, recorded the actual radio transmission and then uploaded the audio file to YouTube in a video format.Upon discovery of the video, KSP immediately contacted a representative from YouTube in an effort to remove the video. YouTube responded, indicating that they carefully reviewed this request, but would not remove the video. Additionally, we have not endorsed or provided any media outlet or news station this audio clip to use. KSP has been vigilant to contact news media who are allowing the audio clip to be played on their stations in an effort to protect the Ponder family from added pain during this already difficult time.The KSP encourage the public to refrain from sharing this audio clip on social media sites out of respect for the family. For those who would like to register a complaint regarding the continued use of this audio clip (video), the agency recommends that you contact YouTube directly.

You can contact YouTube at the address below:

YouTube, LLC
901 Cherry Ave.
San Bruno, CA 94066
Fax: 1-650-253-0001
Email: press@youtube.com or support@support.youtube.com

As a journalist in the police-accountability movement, I also urge you to contact YouTube. Let YouTube know that they made the correct decision by allowing the public to have access to that information (audio). Applaud their decision to stand up to the police state!

It’s devastating when anyone loses their life. My condolences go out to the family and friends of the officer. However, the public has a right to that audio. Everyone, whether you’re a journalist or citizen, must stand up for your rights! If the Kentucky State Police wins their war against the public’s right to access information, it has the potential to ‘snowball’ into something more serious.