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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| TalkRadio: YouTube kicks channel off its platform | TalkRadio: YouTube kicks channel off its platform |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| TalkRadio specialises in news and other speech-related radio programmes | TalkRadio specialises in news and other speech-related radio programmes |
| YouTube has removed TalkRadio's channel from its platform. | YouTube has removed TalkRadio's channel from its platform. |
| The Google-owned service has not given an explanation for its action, but there is speculation that it relates to its rules on Covid-19-related misinformation. | The Google-owned service has not given an explanation for its action, but there is speculation that it relates to its rules on Covid-19-related misinformation. |
| Fact-checkers have repeatedly challenged some of the claims made by interviewees featured by the London-based radio station. | Fact-checkers have repeatedly challenged some of the claims made by interviewees featured by the London-based radio station. |
| TalkRadio said it was seeking an explanation and defended its output. | TalkRadio said it was seeking an explanation and defended its output. |
| "We urgently await a detailed response from Google/YouTube about the nature of the breach that has led to our channel being removed from its platform," it said in a statement posted to Twitter. | "We urgently await a detailed response from Google/YouTube about the nature of the breach that has led to our channel being removed from its platform," it said in a statement posted to Twitter. |
| "TalkRadio is an Ofcom-licensed and regulated broadcaster, and has robust editorial controls in place, taking care to balance debate. | |
| "We regularly interrogate government data and we have controls in place, use verifiable sources and give space to careful selection of voices and opinions." | "We regularly interrogate government data and we have controls in place, use verifiable sources and give space to careful selection of voices and opinions." |
| TalkRadio had used YouTube to livestream shows and to offer highlights as clips that could be embedded elsewhere | TalkRadio had used YouTube to livestream shows and to offer highlights as clips that could be embedded elsewhere |
| For now, YouTube's only statement on the matter is a notification on what used to be TalkRadio's page on its platform. | For now, YouTube's only statement on the matter is a notification on what used to be TalkRadio's page on its platform. |
| "This account has been terminated for violating YouTube's Community Guidelines," it says. | "This account has been terminated for violating YouTube's Community Guidelines," it says. |
| The media watchdog Ofcom told the BBC: ""This was a decision for YouTube. Like other UK stations, TalkRadio's radio channel comes under our Broadcasting Code. When we assess programmes under our rules, we take account of a broadcaster's right to freedom of expression, and the right of listeners to receive information and ideas." | The media watchdog Ofcom told the BBC: ""This was a decision for YouTube. Like other UK stations, TalkRadio's radio channel comes under our Broadcasting Code. When we assess programmes under our rules, we take account of a broadcaster's right to freedom of expression, and the right of listeners to receive information and ideas." |
| Covid rules | Covid rules |
| TalkRadio has about 424,000 listeners, according to the latest figures from market research provider Rajar. | TalkRadio has about 424,000 listeners, according to the latest figures from market research provider Rajar. |
| It had used YouTube as a means to livestream shows from its studios and to provide an archive of past broadcasts. | It had used YouTube as a means to livestream shows from its studios and to provide an archive of past broadcasts. |
| It noted that it continued to stream its programmes via its own website as well as Facebook. | It noted that it continued to stream its programmes via its own website as well as Facebook. |
| However, YouTube's action means that TalkRadio's website now features many articles featuring broken embedded clips, as do other outlets that embedded its material. | However, YouTube's action means that TalkRadio's website now features many articles featuring broken embedded clips, as do other outlets that embedded its material. |
| YouTube operates a "three strikes" policy, whereby channels that break its community guidelines three times within a 90-day period can be permanently banned, but other infractions lead to temporary restrictions. | YouTube operates a "three strikes" policy, whereby channels that break its community guidelines three times within a 90-day period can be permanently banned, but other infractions lead to temporary restrictions. |
| Prohibited content includes "medically unsubstantiated claims" relating to Covid-19, and videos that contradict expert consensus from local health authorities such as the NHS. | Prohibited content includes "medically unsubstantiated claims" relating to Covid-19, and videos that contradict expert consensus from local health authorities such as the NHS. |
| The US firm has previously imposed a permanent ban against conspiracy theorist David Icke, and a one-week video suspension of right-wing outlet One America News Network's ability to publish new clips - in both cases for breaches of its Covid rules. | The US firm has previously imposed a permanent ban against conspiracy theorist David Icke, and a one-week video suspension of right-wing outlet One America News Network's ability to publish new clips - in both cases for breaches of its Covid rules. |
| Digital rights campaign group Big Brother Watch likened the latest action to the kind of behaviour one would expect in China. | Digital rights campaign group Big Brother Watch likened the latest action to the kind of behaviour one would expect in China. |
| "YouTube's termination of a national broadcaster is further evidence that privatised, big tech censorship is spiralling out of control and must be challenged," its director Silkie Carlo told the BBC. | "YouTube's termination of a national broadcaster is further evidence that privatised, big tech censorship is spiralling out of control and must be challenged," its director Silkie Carlo told the BBC. |
| Social media sites have come under increasing pressure to tackle the rise of coronavirus falsehoods and conspiracies online - particularly about the vaccine and the latest wave of coronavirus. | Social media sites have come under increasing pressure to tackle the rise of coronavirus falsehoods and conspiracies online - particularly about the vaccine and the latest wave of coronavirus. |
| But they face a number or dilemmas. Primarily, the battle between free speech and the need to tackle disinformation that has been linked to real-world harm. | But they face a number or dilemmas. Primarily, the battle between free speech and the need to tackle disinformation that has been linked to real-world harm. |
| Drawing a line between what counts as legitimate concerns about lockdowns and false conspiracies about the pandemic can be tricky - especially when some of those views are carried by mainstream news outlets. | Drawing a line between what counts as legitimate concerns about lockdowns and false conspiracies about the pandemic can be tricky - especially when some of those views are carried by mainstream news outlets. |
| YouTube has previously taken action against influencers and groups who have shared popular, slick videos promoting false claims about the pandemic - but the action against TalkRadio's popular radio station marks a first, at least for the UK. | YouTube has previously taken action against influencers and groups who have shared popular, slick videos promoting false claims about the pandemic - but the action against TalkRadio's popular radio station marks a first, at least for the UK. |
| It remains unclear why TalkRadio's YouTube account was removed - but it has been controversial for its choice of speakers and discussions around the pandemic and lockdowns. | It remains unclear why TalkRadio's YouTube account was removed - but it has been controversial for its choice of speakers and discussions around the pandemic and lockdowns. |