YouTube removed David Bowie video over offensive religious imagery

YouTube removed David Bowie's latest music video over "graphic content" that consisted of religious imagery, before admitting it was in error and reinstating it.

The Next Day is the latest video from Bowie from his comeback album of the same name. It features Gary Oldman and Marion Cotillard - the latter appearing to bleed from Stigmata wounds. The video had been removed from YouTube initially over its apparent "graphic content", but was later restored.

"With the massive volume of videos on our site, sometimes we make the wrong call. When it's brought to our attention that a video has been removed mistakenly, we act quickly to reinstate it," a YouTube spokesman said.

The video is set in a basement bar occupied by religious figures, and shows a priest (Gary Oldman) fighting and then dancing with a prostitute.

Written by: James Delahunty @ 9 May 2013 13:01

KillerBug

Quote:"With the massive volume of videos on our site, sometimes we make the wrong call. When it's brought to our attention that a video has been removed mistakenly, we act quickly to reinstate it," a YouTube spokesman said. ...So long as it is a major figure backing the video and they have reason to fear backlash...but when it is a small artist who posts their own video, their account gets banned for copyright infringement on their own content.

9.5.2013 13:04 #1

Jemborg

Originally posted by KillerBug: Quote:"With the massive volume of videos on our site, sometimes we make the wrong call. When it's brought to our attention that a video has been removed mistakenly, we act quickly to reinstate it," a YouTube spokesman said. ...So long as it is a major figure backing the video and they have reason to fear backlash...but when it is a small artist who posts their own video, their account gets banned for copyright infringement on their own content. YouTube don't even take into account "Fair Use".

Its a lot easier being righteous than right.

10.5.2013 02:05 #2

DarthMopar

Catchy tune....WEIRD video. REALLY WEIRD.

10.5.2013 21:25 #3

Jemborg

Originally posted by DarthMopar: Catchy tune....WEIRD video. REALLY WEIRD. I suppose at this time of life he doesn't care what the devout think.

Its a lot easier being righteous than right.

11.5.2013 08:50 #4

DarthMopar

Originally posted by Jemborg: Originally posted by DarthMopar: Catchy tune....WEIRD video. REALLY WEIRD. I suppose at this time of life he doesn't care what the devout think. How ironic, as most people are the opposite as they approach the twilight years of their life. To each their own, though.

11.5.2013 08:59 #5

Interestx

Bowie is an artist and like all decent artists he will provoke like & dislike....and so long as it's not a response of outright indifference I imagine he regards that as having achieved his aim as an artist.

Like the song (the lyrics are worth looking up & taking in if you're not sure you've got them from hearing it).

As for those moaning about it?

Get a life.

11.5.2013 10:05 #6

Interestx

Originally posted by DarthMopar: How ironic, as most people are the opposite as they approach the twilight years of their life. ...or so we are told & led to believe.
Fear does many starange things I guess.

Mind you, Christopher Hitchens is another high-profile atheist who stayed true to his principles despite a ghastly cancer death.

11.5.2013 10:08 #7

Jemborg

@ Interestix

Yeah, the lyrics do line up with the video.

And the church/nightclub lol

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Its a lot easier being righteous than right.

11.5.2013 10:34 #8

Jemborg

Originally posted by DarthMopar: Originally posted by Jemborg: Originally posted by DarthMopar: Catchy tune....WEIRD video. REALLY WEIRD. I suppose at this time of life he doesn't care what the devout think. How ironic, as most people are the opposite as they approach the twilight years of their life. To each their own, though. I've certainly become more strident myself as I've gotten older. But what I'm suggesting is that he doesn't care about offending potential fans/customers with his own beliefs. He's made it... he can say what he likes.

Its a lot easier being righteous than right.

11.5.2013 10:40 #9

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