YouTube's battle for free speech | The Economist
- 5 years ago
Over one billion hours of YouTube videos are viewed every day. A new generation of content creators are harnessing the power of the social-media platform, but they're also grappling with issues surrounding censorship and free speech. #creatorsforchange
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Some of YouTube's most popular clips have been observational moments caught on camera. But a new breed of creatives, known as influencers, are the modern broadcasters of the internet age. Some as young as four years old are streaming their content to millions of viewers.
But YouTubers are increasingly using the platform and global audience to push the boundaries of free speech and promote their own brand of positive values.
But it's not just a western phenomenon. Influencers around the world freely express their opinions. Even in places where free speech has been suppressed in the past. But freedom of speech comes with its difficulties. Like Facebook, Twitter and other digital platforms, YouTube is being forced to grapple with complex decisions about censorship. It aspires to be politically neutral,
but it doesn't allow hate speech.
The balance between free speech and hate speech is a fine one. But without the contest of ideas, the world cannot progress. Influencers like these will be at the heart of our democratic future,
whether we like it or not.
Daily Watch: mind-stretching short films throughout the working week.
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Click here to subscribe to The Economist on YouTube: https://econ.st/2xvTKdy
Some of YouTube's most popular clips have been observational moments caught on camera. But a new breed of creatives, known as influencers, are the modern broadcasters of the internet age. Some as young as four years old are streaming their content to millions of viewers.
But YouTubers are increasingly using the platform and global audience to push the boundaries of free speech and promote their own brand of positive values.
But it's not just a western phenomenon. Influencers around the world freely express their opinions. Even in places where free speech has been suppressed in the past. But freedom of speech comes with its difficulties. Like Facebook, Twitter and other digital platforms, YouTube is being forced to grapple with complex decisions about censorship. It aspires to be politically neutral,
but it doesn't allow hate speech.
The balance between free speech and hate speech is a fine one. But without the contest of ideas, the world cannot progress. Influencers like these will be at the heart of our democratic future,
whether we like it or not.
Daily Watch: mind-stretching short films throughout the working week.
For more from Economist Films visit: https://econ.st/2MFURxs
Check out The Economist’s full video catalogue: http://econ.st/20IehQk
Like The Economist on Facebook: https://econ.st/2ML6TFY
Follow The Economist on Twitter: https://econ.st/2ML6Ud0
Follow us on Instagram: https://econ.st/2ML6PWK
Follow us on Medium: https://econ.st/2ML6Wl8