YouTube’s Illusion of Free Speech

According to Neil Mohan, YouTube’s CEO, the platform is the digital equivalent of an ancient marketplace—an open space where ideas clash and important debates unfold. But in the same breath, Mohan admits, “Just because it’s an open platform, it doesn’t mean anything goes.” Translation: You’re free to speak, as long as your speech aligns with their rules.

YouTube claims to champion free expression, but its actions paint a different picture. Over the past several years, the company has doubled down on content moderation, employing algorithms and human monitors to silence voices deemed “problematic.” Whether it’s questioning the mainstream narrative or challenging powerful institutions, dissenting creators often find themselves censored, demonetized, or erased.

Moderation or Manipulation?

Mohan insists YouTube welcomes a diversity of opinions, but their so-called “community guidelines” tell a different story. These rules are deliberately vague and constantly evolving, allowing the platform to police content unpredictably. A video that challenges corporate narratives or government policies today might violate the guidelines tomorrow, leaving creators in a state of perpetual uncertainty.

At the heart of this enforcement lies a powerful algorithm trained to detect and punish content that steps out of line. And when the algorithms falter, human moderators step in—but their decisions are often steeped in their own biases. The result? A system that disproportionately targets smaller creators while allowing corporate media to operate unchecked.

Independent voices that question government agencies or promote alternative views on major issues—such as vaccine mandates or pandemic policies—are swiftly labeled as “misinformation.” Meanwhile, mainstream outlets are free to spread inaccuracies with little to no consequences.

The Pandemic and the Death of Dissent

Nowhere was YouTube’s heavy-handed censorship more evident than during the pandemic. In the name of combating “medical misinformation,” the platform aggressively silenced voices that dared to question the official narrative. Experts, doctors, and concerned citizens were purged for challenging ideas that have since been proven credible.

Take the lab-leak theory, for instance. Once dismissed as a baseless conspiracy, it was banned outright on YouTube. Videos discussing it were removed, and creators were punished for even entertaining the idea. Fast-forward a few years, and this once-taboo topic is now recognized as a legitimate possibility by leading scientists and governments.

Yet YouTube offers no apologies or acknowledgment of its missteps. Policies quietly change, and the platform moves on, leaving silenced voices in the shadows.

Censorship in the Name of Profit

At its core, YouTube’s stringent moderation policies aren’t about protecting users—they’re about protecting profits. In 2017, a wave of advertiser boycotts over “controversial content” forced the platform to overhaul its guidelines. To maintain advertiser trust, YouTube sanitized its platform, prioritizing brand safety over freedom of expression.

While removing genuinely harmful content is necessary, YouTube’s approach has extended far beyond that. Independent creators have been disproportionately targeted, their content scrutinized and suppressed, while corporate media outlets are given free rein to publish without fear of repercussion.

The double standard is impossible to ignore. Discuss vaccine mandates or alternative treatments, and your content is flagged. Yet corporate media can spread misinformation about wars, scandals, or political events without facing the same consequences.

A Business Model Built on Control

Neil Mohan’s promises of a platform that embraces diverse perspectives might sound noble, but they fall flat in practice. YouTube has repeatedly chosen corporate interests over open discourse, silencing creators who step out of line.

Despite this, YouTube continues to market itself as a defender of free expression. But make no mistake—this isn’t a platform built on freedom. It’s a tightly controlled machine where narratives are curated, dissent is stifled, and profits reign supreme.

The next time YouTube touts its commitment to free speech, remember this: the only voices truly free are those that play by their rules, and the only winners are the corporations that keep the platform afloat. Free speech on YouTube isn’t a right; it’s a privilege—and one that can be revoked at any time.