In a decisive move against harmful misinformation, YouTube has permanently deleted the official channel of the far-right One America News Network (OAN). The Google-owned video platform confirmed the ban was due to the channel repeatedly violating its policies on COVID-19 misinformation.
The termination deals a significant financial and strategic blow to the controversial broadcaster, which had built a substantial following on the platform. YouTube has long been a critical source of advertising revenue and audience reach for OAN.
A Pattern of Policy Violations
A YouTube spokesperson stated that the removal was not the result of a single video but a consistent pattern of behaviour. The channel had previously been issued a strike, a formal warning, and was temporarily suspended for a week in September for breaking the platform's rules.
"After careful review, we terminated the One America News YouTube channel for repeatedly violating our COVID-19 misinformation policies," a YouTube representative said. The company's policies explicitly prohibit content that spreads harmful medical misinformation about the virus and its treatments.
The Ripple Effect for OAN
This deplatforming represents the latest and most severe setback for OAN. The network, known for promoting conspiracy theories and its staunch support of former President Donald Trump, has faced a series of existential threats:
- Carriage disputes: Major satellite providers DirecTV and Verizon Fios dropped the channel earlier this year, drastically cutting its potential audience.
- Lawsuits: OAN is facing massive defamation lawsuits from voting technology companies Smartmatic and Dominion, which could have crippling financial consequences.
- Dwindling platforms: YouTube's removal leaves the network with fewer avenues to distribute its content and generate revenue.
Despite requests for comment, OAN has remained silent on the YouTube termination. The network's website now directs viewers to its own subscription streaming service, OAN Plus, and other alternative platforms like Rumble.
The Wider Context of Online Moderation
YouTube's action highlights the ongoing tension between free speech and content moderation on major tech platforms. While OAN and its supporters will likely decry the move as censorship, platforms like YouTube and Facebook have faced intense pressure to curb the spread of falsehoods, particularly those related to public health.
This incident underscores a broader trend of major tech companies taking a harder line against outlets that persistently spread misinformation, effectively shrinking their digital footprint and influence.
