Africa’s most popular televangelist, TB Joshua, has had his official YouTube channel terminated by the video-sharing platform.
The late Nigerian pastor’s channel, Emmanuel TV, was shut down for violating YouTube’s hate speech policies.
The termination comes just days after TB Joshua’s controversial comments on homosexuality sparked backlash on social media. In a sermon, the pastor referred to a sexual orientation as “an evil spirit” and claimed to have “cured” several gay people through prayer.
YouTube’s decision to terminate the channel has ignited a debate about free speech and censorship on the internet. Supporters of TB Joshua have condemned the action, claiming that it infringes on the pastor’s right to express his religious beliefs.
However, others argue that hate speech should not be tolerated, regardless of the speaker’s religious or social status. They praise YouTube for taking a stand against discriminatory and harmful content.
TB Joshua, who died on June 5th, was known for his charismatic preaching and faith healing. His popular TV channel, Emmanuel TV, had over 1.8 million subscribers before it was taken down.
The termination of TB Joshua’s YouTube channel has raised questions about the power of tech companies to regulate online content. It also serves as a reminder of the need for responsible and respectful discourse in the digital age.
