YouTube to start bringing back creators banned for COVID-19 and election misinformation

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. subpoena / səˈpi nə / (n.) – an official legal document that orders someone to appear in court or to provide information
    Example:

    The court sent subpoenas to several witnesses in the case.


  2. discourse / ˈdɪs kɔrs / (n.) – spoken or written discussion, usually about a serious subject
    Example:

    The teacher encouraged open discourse about environmental problems.


  3. cascade / kæsˈkeɪd / (n.) – a large number of things that happen quickly, one after another
    Example:

    The mistake caused a cascade of events that delayed the project.


  4. crack down / kræk daʊn / (phrasal v.) – to take strong action to stop people from doing something bad or illegal
    Example:

    The government cracked down on illegal street vendors.


  5. unlawfully / ʌnˈlɑː fəl i / (adv.) – in a way that is not allowed by law
    Example:

    The land was unlawfully sold without the owner’s permission.


Article

Read the text below.

YouTube will offer creators a way to rejoin the streaming platform if they were banned for violating COVID-19 and election misinformation policies that are no longer in effect, its parent company Alphabet said September 23.


In a letter submitted in response to subpoenas from the House Judiciary Committee, attorneys for Alphabet said the decision to bring back banned accounts reflected the company’s commitment to free speech. It said the company values conservative voices on its platform and recognizes their reach and important role in civic discourse.


“No matter the political atmosphere, YouTube will continue to enable free expression on its platform, particularly as it relates to issues subject to political debate,” the letter read.


The move is the latest in a cascade of content moderation rollbacks from tech companies, who cracked down on false information during the pandemic and after the 2020 election but have since faced pressure from President Donald Trump and other conservatives who argue they unlawfully stifled right-wing voices in the process.


It comes as tech CEOs, including Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, have sought a closer relationship with the Republican president, including through high-dollar donations to his campaign and attending events in Washington.


YouTube in 2023 phased out its policy to remove content that falsely claims the 2020 election, or other past U.S. presidential elections, were marred by “widespread fraud, errors or glitches.”


The platform in 2024 also retired its standalone COVID-19 content restrictions, allowing various treatments for the disease to be discussed. COVID-19 misinformation now falls under YouTube’s broader medical misinformation policy.


Among the creators who have been banned from YouTube under the now-expired policies are prominent conservative influencers, including Dan Bongino, who now serves as deputy director of the FBI. For people who make money on social media, access to monetization on YouTube can be significant, earning them large sums through ad revenue.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Alphabet said the decision reflects a strong commitment to free speech. Should social media companies protect free speech even if it includes false or misleading claims? Discuss.
  • Who should decide what speech is acceptable: online platforms, the government, or the people? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • YouTube says it will allow banned creators to return because it values free speech. Should platforms have the power to ban people for what they say, or should free expression always come first? Discuss.
  • Where do you think the line should be drawn between “free speech” and “harmful speech?” Discuss.