YouTube Suspends Pro-Trump News Network OANN, Completely Demonetizes Channel Over COVID-19 ‘Cure’ Video
Tyler Durden
Tue, 11/24/2020 – 15:26
YouTube has suspended the One America News Network from posting new content for one week and has completely demonetized the channel, after the pro-Trump news network reportedly uploaded a video touting a non-approved ‘cure’ for COVID-19.
According to Axios, “YouTube has been criticized for allowing OANN to spread misinformation using its platform, particularly around coronavirus and the election,” adding “This marks the Google-owned service’s first crackdown against OANN.”
In addition to the temporary ban on videos, the network cannot livestream due to a “strike” received under YouTube’s COVID-19 misinformation policy, which prohibits content claiming there is a ‘guaranteed cure’ for the virus. The video in question has reportedly been removed.
If OANN wants to re-monetize the channel, they will need to re-apply to YouTube’s Partner Program. If they receive two more strikes, their account will be terminated.
The ‘cancel’ crew at Sleeping Giants – who seek to silence divergent opinions under the guise of fighting misinformation – celebrated, though not without knocking YouTube for not taking more aggressive action against the news network.
This SHOULD and the second strike for the network, but @TeamYouTube is extraordinarily unreliable when it comes to these strikes, bending the rules regularly for particular outlets.
— Sleeping Giants (@slpng_giants) November 24, 2020
Don’t forget that @YouTube has played a large part in building OAN’s audience and recommending their videos.
With COVID, disinformation leads to lives lost. If @YouTube doesn’t take this seriously, they’re incredibly complicit. https://t.co/26YtFWGCLg
— Sleeping Giants (@slpng_giants) November 24, 2020
Meanwhile, conservative news outlet The Federalist has jumped from YouTube to Rumble after ‘years of throttling our page and restricting our reach.’
After years of YouTube throttling our page and restricting our reach, @FDRLST is now on Rumble! Be sure to check out our page and subscribe. https://t.co/aj0NQTTwNw
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) November 24, 2020
Will half the country eventually wind up on Parler and Rumble?