BitChute website to continue hosting blocked RT channel

theguardian.com:

A British-based video website once called the “far right’s YouTube” has said it will continue to make content available from RT, despite the Kremlin-backed TV channel being removed or blocked by TV broadcasters and rival sites including YouTube.

BitChute, a UK-registered video sharing platform (VSP) with British directors that has a global following, said RT, formerly known as Russia Today would remain on its platform as long as it is legally allowed to do so.

The company, which has hosted films of terror attacks, antisemitic videos watched by millions and racist killings posted by neo-Nazis, is regulated by broadcasting watchdog Ofcom under a regime established for UK-registered online services from Snapchat and TikTok to OnlyFans.

Ray Vahey, the chief executive of BitChute, which was incorporated at Companies House in the UK in 2017, said: “BitChute condemns all wars and acts of aggression, and our prayers go out to all those who have had their lives impacted and lost loved ones during the invasion of Ukraine.

“The UK is a country that believes in due process and freedom of expression, and we cannot beat authoritarianism by sacrificing principles. RT will remain on BitChute as long as we can legally host them.”

Ofcom has launched 27 investigations into allegations of bias against RT’s news coverage, which culture secretary Nadine Dorries has called “poisonous propaganda”, and has the power to go as far as revoking RT’s licence to broadcast in the UK.

RT’s UK TV channel has been unavailable in the UK since last Wednesday after it was removed from Sky, Freeview and Freesat as part of wider European Union sanctions against Russia.

Last week, Google-owned YouTube, which is not regulated in the UK, moved to block the channels