Headline RoundupOctober 7th, 2021

Google, YouTube to Demonetize Content That Contradicts Climate Change Science

Summary from the AllSides News Team

Google will begin preventing advertisers, publishers, and YouTube creators from monetizing content that goes against "well-established scientific consensus on the existence and causes of climate change." According to a document published Thursday, Google will "look carefully at the context in which claims are made, differentiating between content that states a false claim as fact, versus content that reports on or discusses that claim." The company also said it will continue allowing monetization of content on other climate-related topics, "including public debates on climate policy, the varying impacts of climate change, new research and more." The document says "a growing number of our advertising and publisher partners" have complained to Google about purportedly false or misleading climate content in recent years.

Outlets across the spectrum framed the move as a significant clampdown on content and speech by one of the world's most influential tech companies. Some coverage from right-rated sources said the move will undoubtedly suppress freedom of speech and non-mainstream views about the climate. Coverage from left- and center-rated outlets highlighted how climate activists have been accelerating calls for tech companies to address climate change denial on their platforms.

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