Nodar Kumaritashvili Luge Crash Video: Censorship or Controlled Release?
Does NBC and the IOC Have the Right to Block the Images on the Luge Crash Video?
NBC Television is the network who signed an exclusive contract with the IOC to cover the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Much like major networks' coverage of other sporting events, the coverage and the film footage (and any images and depictions thereof) of the events become the property of the sporting organization and the network covering the events. In short, the own the copyright to the material captured and produced. They do not own the copyrights to the videos shot from fans within the stadiums or those watching the events, nor do they own audio recordings or still photos that are produced by individuals and/or organizations at these events. If sporting organizations want more control over images and audio at events, they ban any type of recording device from being brought into the sporting venue.
In the case of the Nodar Kumaritashvili luge crash video, the only known source where it was captured seems to be on NBC cameras. Regardless, NBC, in conjunction with the International Olympic Committee, own the images. The images are not part of the public domain, are owned by a controlling entity, and their release is governed by that entity.
When the IOC learned that the luge crash video had been uploaded onto YouTube, they claimed copyright ownership and requested that Google pull the video(s) from YouTube. Google complied, which they are bound to do by law or face the possibility of copyright infringement violation lawsuits. The videos uploaded on Google were owned by NBC and the IOC. Google's hands were tied.
Many on the internet took the move on the part of the IOC as nothing short of censorship. Given the "free range" ideology that has become part of the mindset of many of the users of the world wide web, the attitude that the IOC was censoring material is understandable, however misguided. The images captured on video of the Nodar Kumaritashvili luge crash are not "open source" or part of the "public domain," they are owned and protected by copyright. And it is at the sole discretion of the proprietors of the copyright, NBC and the IOC, that those images are released.
Still, NBC found that they were in a Catch-22 situation. After broadcasting the luge crash video late at night, the Peacock Network found themselves at the center of another controversy. Complaints began pouring in that the network had shown poor judgment in airing the video of the death of Georgian luger, that they were showing a lack of respect, that they were being sensationalist, pandering to the morbidly curious.
Still, the Nodar Kumaritashvili luge crash video has not been released to the general public and cries of censorship continue. But the information contained on the video doesn't present as a case of the public's right to know. It simply contains images of the death of the Georgian luger. And since ownership of the images fall within the legal dominion of NBC and the IOC, their release (or non-release) is controlled by NBC and the IOC.
But those crying foul need not worry overly much. NBC and the IOC exist ultimately to prosper. Once they discover a way to use the images to increase their stature, increase their ratings (mainly beneficial only for NBC), or make money, the luge crash video be broadcast (possibly in a "Dateline" documentary on safety in international sports). And they will be doing it as quickly as possible, before some enterprising staffer "leaks" the luge crash video.
True censorship is a rare in a capitalist society. One simply needs to establish demand for what is to be supplied...
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Published by Saul Relative
WVU graduate, with degrees in History, English, Secondary Education, Computer Programming, and Psychology (and nearly a degree in Political Science). Originally from West Virginia, with stints in Virginia,... View profile
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6 Comments
Post a CommentExcellent.... :o)
As an Emergency Medical Technician I would like to view this video. It might give me some insight in how to better treat a similar trauma case (i.e.) motorcycle, snowmobile etc. accident in the future. This was a tragic accident and nothing more. At least the track has been modified so that a similar accident should not occur.
As I explained this to my 9 year old, I will explain it to all, Things Happen! This is News and is no ones FAULT! People ride in cars everyday, but we don't stop driving nor do we stop watching the poise chases on TV! As I have been taught from an early age, when the horse bucks you off, you get right back on, I feel sorry for his family, but at least they know he was doing something he loved, we should all be so lucky! Censoring is not the answer lets learn, and move on. Not play a blame game!
It's not, 'why one would want to view,' as much as it's about one deciding what should be viewed
by others! Censorship is wrong. It's an unfortunate hypocrisy for NBC to show the Luge Video (in slow motion, stop-action, full-cut) in prime-time, when it benefits their rating most, yet clings to Copyright law when precluding others from viewing.
@Lyn Lommasi. YOu know why it is necessary to watch this video? because it clearly shows one thing: the pillars were much too close from the track and a death accident was predictible. Where is human error in this case? The Georgian athlete was doing his job, moved by passion. We would trust that OGC would do the job correctly instead of being cynical and manipulate the reality by hiding the evidence. Shame on these winter games 2010
Great writeup as always. Whether it's censorship, respect, or a money-making tactic I don't get why people would want to view it anyway. I don't think I'll ever understand why some people would want to watch this or any other death or injury on video or see similar pictures.