Youtube to censor content permitted to run ads

Youtube to censor content permitted to run ads

“Content that is considered inappropriate for advertising
Content that is considered “not advertiser-friendly” includes, but is not limited to:

  • Sexually suggestive content, including partial nudity and sexual humor
  • Violence, including display of serious injury and events related to violent extremism
  • Inappropriate language, including harassment, profanity and vulgar language
  • Promotion of drugs and regulated substances, including selling, use and abuse of such items
  • Controversial or sensitive subjects and events, including subjects related to war, political conflicts, natural disasters and tragedies, even if graphic imagery is not shown”

Source: Advertiser-friendly content guidelines – YouTube Help
The last point is chilling. Online videos that address controversial topics, including political topics, even videos about natural disasters – are prohibited from showing Youtube provided advertising.
While the content may continue to be displayed on Youtube, the opportunity to earn money from such programming goes away. This becomes a disincentive for content creators to address controversial topics, effectively neutering the Youtube platform’s voices.
This policy has been in effect at Youtube for some time. The only change is that as of the summer of 2016, Youtube began enforcing the policy.
As noted repeatedly, the answer to speech you do not like, is more speech, not censorship or disincentives to curtail speech. Youtube’s proposal establishes Google as a “speech czar” that controls public discussion. Google does not provide detail as to what is considered “controversial”, “sensitive” or “political” in nature.

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