Michigan State University (MSU) has apologized after a misstep saw an image of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler displayed on the scoreboard before an Oct. 21 football game.
Images and videos of the incident have been widely shared on social media. The previous question asked, “In Star Trek, what color was Spock’s blood?” before the answer “green” was shown.
“MSU is aware that inappropriate content by a third-party source was displayed on the videoboard prior to the start of tonight’s football game. We are deeply sorry for the content that was displayed, as this is not representative of our institutional values,” he said.
“MSU will not be using the third-party source going forward and will implement stronger screening and approval procedures for all videoboard content in the future,” Mr. Larson added.
The game ended on a sour note for the Michigan State University Spartans after they were routed by the University of Michigan Wolverines 49-0.
Quiz Creator Unaware University Used His Video
Eagle-eyed users of the YouTube channel “The Quiz Channel” were quick to point out that the content used by MSU was the General Knowledge Trivia Quiz (Part 18), released on Oct. 14.In the video’s comment section, the creator and producer of The Quiz Channel, Floris van Pallandt, revealed that MSU had not asked his permission to use his video and that he was not involved in the mishap.
“To be clear, I was unaware Michigan State University is using my content for stadium entertainment, and this was unsolicited and unauthorized use. A random history trivia question in an inappropriate setting,” he said.
“It was unsolicited and unpaid for,” Mr. van Pallandt added in another comment.
Under the terms of service, YouTube is granted a non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable, and transferable license to use all content on the site, including to “reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works, display, and perform it.”
YouTube users are also granted a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to access content through the platform to reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works, display, and perform it using video playback or embeds.
However, the terms of service do not grant permission for people to use the content “independent of the service,” meaning on a platform other than YouTube.
Video Not Viewed in Entirety Before Use
In an Oct. 22 statement, Michigan State University Vice President and Director of Athletics Alan Haller revealed the quiz video was not viewed in its entirety by anyone in athletics before it was shown on the video board.“An initial assessment was conducted, and an involved employee has been identified and suspended with pay pending the results of an investigation,” Mr. Haller said. ”The investigation will determine any future appropriate actions.”
Mr. Haller further stated that the situation had exposed “a failure in our process” and stressed that the video was not part of a sponsorship and had no affiliation with any corporate partners or community connected to MSU.
“Looking forward, Michigan State Athletics will ensure greater oversight and processes surrounding any material displayed in relation to one of our athletics events,” he said.
“We are committed to ensuring this never happens again and to better demonstrating the inclusive community that we are,” he continued.
Mr. Haller also apologized “for the pain it has caused our community” and acknowledged that it’s his responsibility to make sure all those “who interact with Spartan Athletics feel safe, valued, and respected.”
He said he plans to reach out to local groups within the Jewish community, other student leadership groups on campus, and within his department to apologize directly to affected parties.
“It’s important they hear directly from me regarding our failed responsibilities as well as our promise to do better. It’s equally imperative that they are provided the opportunity to be heard,” Mr. Haller said.
“Antisemitism must be denounced,“ he continued. ”The image displayed prior to Saturday night’s game is not representative of who we are and the culture we embody. Nevertheless, we must own our failures and accept responsibility.”
Displaying pictures of Hitler and other Nazi-related images is illegal in several countries around the world, including Australia, China, Austria, Germany, and most of Europe.
It is legal in the United States but widely considered in very poor taste, especially at public events due to the atrocities committed by the Nazis (National Socialist German Workers’ Party) in World War II.
