Google to Lieberman: Thanks for The Input, But We Disagree, The Hill.

Internet giant Google rebuffed Sen. Joe Lieberman's (I-Conn.) request Tuesday to remove internet video content produced by terrorist organizations, claiming the action would stifle the "free speech" the Google-owned site YouTube encourages.

On its blog, the company said that while it "respects his views" it disagrees with Lieberman "about the details of our policies."

"YouTube encourages free speech and defends everyone's right to express unpopular points of view. We believe that YouTube is a richer and more relevant platform for users precisely because it hosts a diverse range of views, and rather than stifle debate we allow our users to view all acceptable content and make up their own minds," the company replied.

News unfiltered: YouTube embraces citizen journalism, Ars Technica.

Announced on YouTube's blog, Citizen News was inspired by all the news reporting, interviews, weekly reports, and untold story investigations already being posted across the site. YouTube wants to see more, though, as its stated goal is to become "a go-to destination for news on the web." Olivia, YouTube’s News Manager, is asking for feedback from users and citizen journalists already active on the site as to how Citizen News can better serve their interests.

Already the Citizen News channel has subscribed to over 70 of YouTube's citizen journalists who are reporting on various issues and niches. "Texascountryreporter," for example, covers "the backroads of Texas to find the people and places who make the Lone Star State one-of-a-kind." "TheRealNews" is a "global online video news network" with impressive production values, boasting "thousands of $10 donations" from users around the world.

Party's Over, Bloggers: CBS, NBC, Fox Threaten Free Clip Service Redlasso, Silicon Alley Insider.

Redlasso, a TV clip service favored by bloggers everywhere, is being threatened with legal action by three of the major media conglomerates: Fox (NWS), CBS (CBS) and NBC (GE). The three companies have sent the Web firm a cease-and-desist letter for recording television and distributing it without their permission, and are giving them until May 29 to stop or get hauled into court.

What's Redlasso? It's hard to imagine media and political blogs like Huffington Post, Perez Hilton or Hot Air without it. The company records live TV and allows users to search for clips, grab them and embed them on their own sites. It's pretty sweet! It's also a version of what Sling Media is trying to do -- except Sling is going through the laborious process of getting the networks, producers and the countless other rights holders to give it permission.