YouTube is now demonetizing videos from content creators deemed too controversial for the platform, and conservatives and independents are being heavily impacted.
The move follows YouTubes announcement earlier in August to catch and flag controversial religious and supremacist content hosted on the popular video-hosting website. Political and social commentators on YouTube are feeling the hurtand they believe that they may be on a blacklist for having the wrong opinions.
The Daily Caller previously spoke to several popular commentary YouTubers who expressed skepticism of the system when the move was first announced last week.
Affected creators are unable to make money from their work, which is automatically flagged or vetted by volunteer experts. In addition, the new system incorporates tougher standards for controversial videos that do not break YouTubes terms of service, which are placed in a purgatory state that effectively censors them from being recommended to YouTube viewers.
The Daily Caller spoke to conservative and independent YouTubers whose channels are now being affected by the new policy. Conservative journalist Lauren Southern believes there is a drive to stifle politically divergent voices.
I think it would be insane to suggest theres not an active effort to censor conservative and independent views, said Southern. Considering most of Silicon Valley participate in the censorship of alleged hate speech, diversity hiring and inclusivity committees. Their entire model is based around a far left outline. Theres no merit hiring, theres no support of free speech and there certainly is not an equal representation of political views at these companies.
Independent journalist and activist Luke Rudkowski, who runs WeAreChange, told The Daily Caller that hundreds of his videos were demonetized in a single day on Thursday, effectively killing his ability to earn a living on YouTube.
Having had 660 of my videos demonetized in one day left me a little stunned since this is the core for my income but left me with the impression that this was done on purpose, said Rudkowski, who said that the videos included some of his most popular videos from years ago. This was videos from years ago predominately targeting the most viewed videos which has eviscerated my income.
Rudkowski, who believes it isnt a coincidence that he was targeted, says that he has experienced repeated issues with YouTube.
After dealing with all the repeated issues with YouTube it is clear that this is a campaign to de-incentivize any critical thinkers and anti authoritarians from their platform, he said.
Daniel Sulzbach, better known as MrRepzion, told the Daily Caller that YouTubes demonetization of his videos has hurt his incentive to make new content. He says that it hasnt been the first time his videos were demonetized, but when the issue happened previously in early 2017, he was able to successfully appeal for them to be restored.
The difference now is that my videos are not being restored with monetization when I file for manual review, said Sulzbach.
The YouTuber, who is known for his blistering culture critiques, discussions about atheism, and video game topics, says he doesnt understand why so many of his videos were flagged.
Some of them make zero sense, especially my video game streams, he said. This is just conjecture at this point, but I think my channel could be on a potential blacklist or list of some sort where my content is looked upon more than others?
I dont make any crazy radical videos, he continued. I hardly even do videos regarding feminism, social justice, etc. anymore. He says that even a 2-year old video response to an Instagram was demonetized without explanation, as well as content from when he was still a Christian.
Sulzbach told the Daily Caller that he plans to rely solely on Patreon to keep making videos, for now. If I fall below a threshold, Ill just quit, he said.
Edgy YouTube comedian Razorfist says every single one of his videos was demonetized. His biggest issue with the site was how the platform values progressive voices over everyone else through biased algorithms. Razorfist cited a video rebuttal to Sam Seder (a left wing comedian) as an example of the bias. He claims that Seder posted a reply containing Razorfists video in its entirety, but the algorithm flagged the original video for demonetization.
If leftist channels are being white-listed, someones going to have to explain to me how this algorithm is functionally any different than a conservative blacklist, he said.Razorfist tells the Daily Caller that he knows his content is edgy and profane, and understands why large family-friendly companies wouldnt want to advertise on his videos, but he wants to know why Google allows for leftist comedians to perform the same humor without any backlash.
Googles going to need to explain to me why John Oliver can engage in weekly invective punctuated by a hail of profane epithets, skew it leftward, and still have ads for Pampers and pimple cream adorn the margins of his unwatchable videos, he said.
Conservative vlogger and cultural pundit Mark Dice told The Daily Caller he believes YouTube is upset at the rise of conservative channels on YouTube over the past year, and that the new policies are designed to squelch dissenting voices.
I think YouTube is furious that so many conservative channels have gotten so popular in the last year, and they dont want us to be able to work full-time doing what were doing because our message is at odds with almost everything that Google and YouTubes leadership stands for, said Dice, who says that even his monetized videos are underperforming as a result of the changes.
To deal with the demonetization of his channel, Dice said that he plans to continue producing videos and supplementing his income through Patreon and merchandise sales, and a new book. He says that his videos performed better when he had a 10th of his subscriber count, years ago.
Dice believes that despite the seeming hopelessness of the situation expressed by so many other YouTubers, Google and YouTube may have made have shot themselves in the foot by censoring conservatives.
YouTube has kicked a bees nest by going after Diamond and Silk [a channel of two black female Trump supporters]. I think it wont be long before President Trump is commenting on YouTubes censorship, he said.
Ian Miles Cheong is a journalist and outspoken media critic. You can reach him through social media at@stillgray on Twitterand onFacebook.
Continued here:
Conservatives Hit By Wave Of YouTube Censorsh | The Daily Caller - The Daily Caller
- Russian Censorship: Tor, Anonymous VPNs Could Be Target Of Next Crackdown, MP Warns - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Russian Censorship: Tor, Anonymous VPNs Could Be Target Of Next Crackdown, Kremlin Warns - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship is no way to hold a debate - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Irreverent: A Celebration of Censorship - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- More online censorship coming to closed countries, says report - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- New book retraces the idea of censorship - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Strike Against SOPA & PIPA - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Sonam Kapoor: I Don't Believe In Censorship! Supports AIB roast! - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- FINAL FANTASY XIV: Unnecessary Censorship #4 - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- China 'great firewall' expands to step up Internet censorship - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- DIRTY GUILD WARS 2: The Voice Cast - Unnecessary Censorship - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Into the Fray Episode 47: NFL Censorship - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Weekly Rewind "Feb 1st" Facebook Censorship? - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Street Fighter 3 2nd Impact CENSORED - Akuma's Defeat Portrait's Blood - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Inside WM: Is Censorship Ever Okay? - Ep. 3 - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- China Targets Virtual Private Networks In Censorship Push - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Tricks to Beat Internet Censorship (On Assignment) - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship and Anal Sex - Video Clip with Remi Newman - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship and Graphic Content Warnings - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- KIDS vs. FOOD - Unnecessary Censorship - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Christian Censorship of Truthiracy - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- FaceBook Censorship Video Featuring The M48 War Hammer - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Youtube Media Censorship - #NWO 134 - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Listen To "Cyberspace Spirit," China's Anthem To Internet Censorship - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Facebook self-censorship: What happens to the posts you ... - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Unnecessary Censorship of a bunch of Cartoons! - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- DAT CENSORSHIP! - Let's Play Saints Row IV #3 (Playthrough) - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- The Rundown Live #414 Open Lines (Corruption,Waking Up,Censorship) - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Facebook To Implement Chinese Style Internet Censorship - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Paris Fashion Week Debuts Butt Plugs in Reaction to Censorship - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Facebook Censorship: What They're Not Telling You - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Best of Unnecessary Censorship Compilation by Jimmy Kimmel - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship: When Truth Becomes a Casualty - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Ice Climber CENSORED - Yeti/Seal Enemy - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- FaceBook Censorship Video Featuring The M48 Tomahawk - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Censorship: The Story Telling Podcast #73 - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Rape scene in Hotline Miami 2 and censorship - The Tara Show - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- FINAL FANTASY XIV: Unnecessary Censorship #3 - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Destiny Unnecessary Censorship - Censored Cutscenes - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- What's Cool in China? Censorship, Teenage Couples, Gay Guys - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- YOUR Thumbs UP Vanish! + Google Censorship...a Way Around It - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Zoom Censorship Examples 9-11 to Bosoms Version 2 - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Let's Play The Forest | Part 2 | Censorship! - Video - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- INTEL Museum censorship - Video - February 14th, 2015 [February 14th, 2015]
- Proxy Database - Access Restricted Information, Bypass Censorship! - Video - February 14th, 2015 [February 14th, 2015]
- Criminal Girls Invite Only CENSORED - Punish/Motivate Time/Spanking - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 14th, 2015 [February 14th, 2015]
- Let's Try: Stay Dead Evolution: Nazi Censorship - Video - February 14th, 2015 [February 14th, 2015]
- Loser Laowai on Censorship in China Part 1 - Video - February 14th, 2015 [February 14th, 2015]
- Censorship? - - Project Censored - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Censorship | American Civil Liberties Union - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Censorship Update: My channel is back! - Video - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Alex Kidd In The Enchanted Castle CENSORED - Rock Paper Scissors - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- Internet Censorship - Big Brother is Watching Everything - YouTube - Video - February 15th, 2015 [February 15th, 2015]
- What is Censorship? - Global Internet Liberty Campaign ... - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- GSC Owner Forces Censorship of Youtube Video - Video - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- Before It's News Lisa Haven Used To Be A Skeptic! (On Chrislam, Facebook Censorship, The Madhi) - Video - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks CENSORED - Intro Cutscene/Movie - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- Top Censored Gaming - Sexy Edition Vol. 1 - Best Video Game Censorship - Video - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- Soul Calibur CENSORED - Mitsurugi/Arthur Character - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 16th, 2015 [February 16th, 2015]
- Censorship Moments in Rooster Teeth - Video - February 17th, 2015 [February 17th, 2015]
- Chinas Internet Censorship Agency Has Its Own Anthem And We Translated It - Video - February 17th, 2015 [February 17th, 2015]
- Manga Censorship Discussion - Video - February 17th, 2015 [February 17th, 2015]
- Top Censored Covers - Gaming Box Art Vol. 1 - Best Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Cars 2 CENSORED - Intro Cutscene/Movie - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Tuff E Nuff CENSORED - Gameplay's Blood - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Carmageddon (PC) CENSORED - Pedestrians & Blood - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Carmageddon (PC) CENSORED - Intro Cutscene/Movie - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Carmageddon 64 CENSORED - Pedestrians & Blood - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Evil Zone CENSORED - Erel Plowse's Outfit - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Pilotwings 64 CENSORED -Turin Shroud's Jesus Christ Face/Everfrost Island - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- D2 CENSORED - Inro Cutscene/Movie - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Another World (Out Of This World) CENSORED - Nudity - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- D2 CENSORED - Jannie's Grandpa Boss/Tentacle - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- OBAMA WANTS INTERNET CENSORSHIP, START A NEW WAR, FORCIBLY VACCINATE YOU, AND SIGN THE TPP. - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Silent Hill CENSORED - Grey Child/Mumbler Enemies - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Mario Party CENSORED - Mini Games/Luigi & Wario Losing - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Breath Of Fire 4 CENSORED - Ursula Dropping Pants For Sailors - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Breath Of Fire 4 CENSORED - Fou-Lu Decapitating Emperor Soniel - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]
- Resident Evil 2 CENSORED - Player Death Scenes/Animations - Video Game Censorship - Video - February 18th, 2015 [February 18th, 2015]