Social media platforms are starting to get serious about “fake news” and unverified news being shared about COVID-19. The latest to do so is YouTube . The video network has blocked Sky News Australia for a week, during which it will not be able to upload new content.
violated the rules regarding the dissemination of misinformation about the coronavirus. This is a first warning, but if a third warning is issued, the profile on the platform will be permanently deleted.
YouTube has not specified what elements and information led it to take this decision israel number data However, it did say that it was firmly opposed to content that "could cause harm in the real world."
This blockage comes after criticism of host Alan Jones , who is known for being against the use of masks and restrictions. However, as we said, it is not known if the two events are related, since the network has not given the exact reasons.
YouTube, a horseman fighting against coronavirus misinformation
A statement from YouTube made it clear that the platform has “clear policies on COVID-19 medical misinformation based on guidance from local and global health authorities.” These include not allowing content that denies the existence of the disease or encourages people to use certain products to prevent the virus when they have not been proven to work.
Sky News Australia's digital editor Jack Houghton has called the move a worrying attack on freedom of thought . He also commented that if conversation is stifled, "political leaders will be free to act with immunity, without justification and without sufficient public scrutiny."
The network has also said that it seems coherent and normal for YouTube to put this commitment into practice in order to "meet editorial and community expectations." But Sky News has denied at all times that any of its presenters have denied the existence of the virus.
This is not the first time that YouTube has imposed blocks and bans, not only because of the coronavirus, but also because of hate speech.