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BYU reconsiders YouTube ban

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Updated: 6/09/2009 11:59 am | Published: 6/02/2009 5:35 pm

Reported by: Robert Walz

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PROVO, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Brigham Young University plans to reconsider the schools ban on YouTube following the release of a new LDS church video channel delivered on the YouTube platform.

“That issue is definitely under review at this time,” said university spokeswoman Carrie Jenkins.

Jenkins said BYU banned Youtube several years ago because of questionable content and bandwidth issues. “We had to consider the academic offering and the kind of content for students who chose to attend school here,” Jenkins said.

But now the LDS church offers the “Mormon Channel” on the LDS Internet home page. The site offers photos, audio feeds and videos a new video service called “Mormon Message” delivered over Youtube.

Youtube viewers have watched church video’s 2.9-million times since the site first began. One illustrated Easter video from elder Jeffery R. Holland ranked number one on the non-commercial Youtube list.

Creators of the Mormon Channel said they hope to take advantage of the viral nature of the video web-sharing platform to get the church’s message before people around the world.

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bootz15 - 6/4/2009 9:54 AM

1 Vote

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This LDS channel on YouTube isn't "new" at all! As a student, I sent a request to the BUY Networking Department a year ago to ask that YouTube NOT be filtered for THIS VERY REASON. Oh well, progress is slow but steady-I guess.

ElizabethH - 6/3/2009 9:05 PM

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While I believe BYU's ban on youtube has been misguided, there's also clearly a heck of a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding about the school's standards and their enforcement. Students sign a document averring that they will not engage in behaviors that break vital LDS Church commandments (Word of Wisdom, sexual chastity, etc.), but using youtube is not part of that commitment. Pepsi isn't sold on campus (it is rotgut after all), but students can buy it themselves and drink it with no penalty. Likewise, students are not banned from using youtube; it's simply not available at BYU online. I would like to see that changed, but let's maintain a little sanity here. Isn't BYU allowed to make a mistake now and then? Students (I was one, and several of my children have been too) are not coerced. Some universities in this nation ban plastic grocery bags--gasp!--or mock political conservatives, or advocate using public transit instead of driving to school, etc. ad infinitum. BYU is entitled to its own attempts to foster well-being.

rsbsbt - 6/3/2009 12:59 PM

2 Votes

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Wasn't it the devil's plan to make everybody do what is right? How about we let the students follow the plan of God and make their own choices. If they make the wrong choice, and break the rules of the school, reprimand them with the rules of the school.

tennessee - 6/3/2009 9:58 AM

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Seriously, a university BANNING access to the internet, in the US? I can't believe this, it sounds like China. Do people really pay to have their children attend there?

rsbsbt - 6/3/2009 9:55 AM

2 Votes

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humm...but then that would be a cult type behavior. You wouldn't want people to think these byu students don't have a mind of their own would ya?

commonground - 6/3/2009 2:26 AM

3 Votes

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Aren't we starting down a slippery slope? If exposed to information some students might start thinking for themselves, even learning about the wrongs of bigotry and prejudice.

Occam - 6/2/2009 7:34 PM

2 Votes

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By all means....please, YOU decide what is appropriate for me to see and hear. I wouldn't have it any other way.

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