Gone.

This morning, I linked to the YouTube version of our Hot Air show exposing hip-hop misogynist Akon.

The YouTube version is no longer available.

This is the message you will now see: “This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Universal Music Group.”

We believe our commentary and criticism of UMG “artist” Akon falls fully under fair use. We believe UMG, with YouTube’s cooperation, is abusing the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) to stifle constitutionally protected speech. As the Electronic Frontier Foundation has explained in similar battles:

Under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), a mere allegation of copyright infringement on the Internet can result in content removal, silencing a creator before any misuse is proven. This “shoot first, ask questions later” system can silence online artists and critics, creating unfair hurdles to free speech.

“Online sites like YouTube have revolutionized political expression and can give the little guy an audience of millions for a political point of view. An entertainment powerhouse like Viacom must not be allowed to muzzle independent video creators and their free speech,” said Eli Pariser, Executive Director of MoveOn.org Civic Action. “Copyright owners need to double-check their claims and think about free speech rights before erasing political content from sites like YouTube and misusing the DMCA.”

More info at Chilling Effects.

We are contacting EFF for help in fighting UMG’s attempt to erase criticism of rapper Akon on YouTube.

Readers/viewers can still access the video files of our report here. New developments and audio on the corporate responsibility campaign by Laura Ingraham, Hot Air, and MM.com here.

What is UMG trying to hide? Here’s the full script of our show with links:

Welcome to Vent with Michelle Malkin.

On the front burner today: Mainstreaming a hip-hop misogynist.

Take a close look at this vulgar and degrading video…

…The girl is 15-year-old Danah Alleyne, the daughter of a prominent preacher in Trinidad. She was reportedly tricked into a dance contest on stage and then groped and sexually molested in front of the standing room only crowd. “This whole hip hop thing is a guise and I don’t want any part of it,”the humiliated Alleyne told the Trinidad Express. The incident is being investigated by police authorities in Trinidad and the country’s prime minister has condemned the performer and his posse.

Who is the out of control animal? The man dragging around the young girl is Senagalese-American rapper Akon—one of the most popular and successful rappers on the airwaves right now…

Last week the Universal Music Group rapper was at the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 Airplay charts.

He recently appeared on American Idol to perform one of his hit singles…

…He has teamed up on sexually explicit and exploitative duets with rappers Snoop Dog and Eminem…

…and he’ll be performing next week in Denver, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, and Dallas as part of pop singer Gwen Stefani’s tour…

Akon is currently a featured artist and partner with Verizon Wireless, where you can download his foul-mouthed ringtones…

Yes, this same thug who served jail time for armed robbery and drug distribution……who claims to have three wives sanctioned by his Islamic faith…and who dry-humped 15 year old Danah Alleyne on stage in Trinidad in April and then sandwiched her along with his DJ…

…is raking in the big bucks degrading women…

Akon is now working on a movie about his life, has his own clothing line, and also has a lucrative South African diamond mining and wholesale distribution company.

Trinidad government officials are in an uproar over Akon’s assault on Danah Alleyne.

But where are all of the chest-pounders who came to the rescue of the Rutgers women’s basketball team after Don Imus called them nappy headed hos?

How about you Hillary Clinton?

And how about Akon’s enablers in the press? No mainstream media outlet has covered the developing scandal in Trinidad. But they have plenty to say in praise of Akon’s “music:”

“Grand,” says the NYTimes.

“Polished…irresistibly slick,” according to Usa Today.

“Swaggering gangster soul,” writes Entertainment Weekly.

“An artist of vision and versatility,” says the Boston Globe.

Tell that to Danah Alleyne.

‘Til next Vent, I’m Michelle Malkin for Hot Air.

Stay tuned…

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