It’s hard to say which was more shocking.
Was it the release of the video (and watching it) or its quick removal from distribution over the internet? See http://www.christianheadlines.com/blog/ youtube-removes-video-exposing-planned-parenthood-s-gruesome-abortion-practices.html for the story.
Certainly, there is a bona fide argument for removing inflammatory, accusatory, libellous, discredited, and for sure dangerous, material from public distribution. Free speech does not equate with a free-for-all to spread lies and defamation of character. This is why we have libel laws. And it is also – prima facie – possible that a particular video could be cut and edited for causing maximum damage and discrediting the victims. With such tools, small-minded bigots can attack large public personalities, and if anyone in our society is to have the freedom and motivation to take a stand and be a public leader or presence, then such leaders and public figures do need to be protected against scurrilous rumours and lies.
