Kate Bih
Popular video sharing application YouTube has deleted Emmanuel TV, the official channel of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), led by the late Nigerian televangelist TB Joshua.
The action was taken on January 29, due to violations of YouTube’s hate speech policies, following an investigation by the BBC and openDemocracy.
In a comment to the BBC, the Google-owned video and text sharing platform said Emmanuel TV had been “terminated for violating… hates peech policies”.
The investigation uncovered evidence of widespread sexual abuse and torture within the megachurch. Emmanuel TV, the church’s media arm, played a pivotal role in TB Joshua’s global prominence. Despite the termination, SCOAN has not issued a statement, maintaining that previous allegations were “unfounded.”
TB Joshua passed away in 2021, leaving his wife, Evelyn Joshua, in charge of SCOAN.
The church’s YouTube channel, with over half a million followers and hundreds of millions of views, faced a similar suspension three years ago for breaching community guidelines.
As part of the recent investigation, openDemocracy reported at least 50 “abusive” videos on Emmanuel TV’s YouTube channel.
YouTube confirmed the termination, citing a violation of hate speech policies. The reported content included footage of individuals with mental health issues being kept in chains, medical misinformation, and smear campaigns against women exposing sexual abuse.
Emmanuel TV faced another setback earlier this month when MultiChoice, the South African company behind DStv and GOtv, dropped its satellite channel.
The channel, once a leading global Christian network, had broadcasted to millions worldwide.
Despite the actions taken by YouTube and MultiChoice, online safety concerns persist. Contributors to the investigation have reported being trolled by church-affiliated accounts, which openDemocracy reported to YouTube without resulting in removal.
The incident further intensifies the scrutiny on social media platforms regarding their safety policies.
TELEVANGELISM IN CAMEROON
Televangelism involves the use of television and other media platforms to broadcast religious messages, sermons, and programs.
In Cameroon, it has gained popularity as a way to reach a wider audience and connect with people across the country. Various religious leaders and organizations utilize this medium to share their teachings and promote their faith.
Tele evangelism too has come under fire for being a channel for the propagation of religious disinformation.
“I am still in pains, in 2018 I lost my only daughter Evelyn to HIV because she stopped taking her drugs and was rather moving from one church to another in search for miracle,” said Menka, Evelyn’s mother.
Across the nation many have faced fatal situations like Menka.
With the coming of Televangelism, disinformation has been high as many evangelists claim on their channels that, with prayer alone, they have healed terminal sicknesses, forcing many to rely on their preachings, abandoning medical advice.
Positively, televangelism in Cameroon has indeed provided a platform for religious leaders to reach a broader audience.
However, the concerning issue of disseminating potentially harmful information and discouraging medical treatment is evident.
The case of Menka’s daughter highlights the real-life consequences of relying solely on prayer for healing, neglecting essential medical care.
