YouTube: The Platform That Once Celebrated Creativity — Now in the Business of Censorship?
A biting Commentary about Freedom of Speech on YouTube
There was a time, where YouTube was the go-to platform for creatives — whether they were musicians, filmmakers, comedians, or anyone willing to put themselves out there with a unique perspective. But recent decisions reveal a troubling trend: YouTube is increasingly choosing to sanitize, censor, and to lock down voices that once thrived on the platform’s promise of free expression.
Case in point? The repeated suspension of the satirical channel @FreshTakeOnHumor, a small but growing channel dedicated to political comedy and parody, clearly labeled as such. YouTube’s “protection” measures, it seems, have taken an unfortunate detour, one that may soon land it in the “social media Hall of Shame.”
Comedy Doesn’t Deceive — It Exaggerates
Here’s a free tip for anyone reviewing satire: satire exaggerates for laughs; it doesn’t deceive for clicks. The humorist behind @FreshTakeOnHumor, who’s gone to the trouble of plastering disclaimers, watermarks, and detailed descriptions on every video to make it abundantly clear that these clips are comedic, has been suspended — twice — under YouTube’s Misinformation Policy. Never mind that these videos couldn’t be further from harmful deception; they’re about making people laugh, a fundamental part of comedy for the past thousand years or so.
What’s surprising is YouTube’s inability to recognize this basic comedic principle. For those of us who appreciate satire, we see irony, exaggeration, and hyperbole as the very fabric of entertainment, not tools of deception. Yet, with its trigger-happy, algorithm-first approach to “community safety,” YouTube treats intelligent humor as a threat rather than a craft. And the message to creators? Keep it safe, keep it flat, or take it elsewhere.
The Unintended Consequences of Youtubes “Safety-First” Approach
This is not just about one small creator.
It is a leading example of YouTube’s shift away from the original ethos of the platform — a place where creativity could run free, where even small creators had room to grow and explore new formats without fear of suspension. By placing comedy in the same category as actual harmful content, YouTube is curating a more and more dull, safe space that risks alienating the very audiences who crave something edgier, more daring, and yes, more humorous. A niche, someone like Elon Musk is willing to close.
In reality, audiences today are smarter than YouTube seems to give them credit for. People understand the difference between satire and misinformation, just as they recognize that exaggerated claims are the very punchlines they came for. But with an all-or-nothing, “algorithm knows best” approach, YouTube has decided that it’s easier to punish than to discern, easier to silence than to understand.
Art and Modern Technology
Where YouTube Could — and Should — Be Leading
In an era where AI and digital tools are reshaping art and expression, YouTube has every opportunity to lead the charge by fostering creativity rather than stifling it. Yet, with its current policies, YouTube treats any content that doesn’t fit a traditional mold as a liability. Rather than embracing technology and the fresh comedic voices leveraging it, YouTube’s policies are sending them a clear message:
“Take your art somewhere else!”
That’s exactly the tone their message conveys. If platforms like YouTube can’t recognize the value of satire and the importance of humor, creators will find more open-minded spaces. With emerging platforms that appreciate creativity for what it is — entertainment, innovation, and yes, sometimes a challenge to conventional thought — satirists and comedians are likely to look for new digital homes where their voices aren’t treated as ticking time bombs.
YouTube, the Future Awaits…
…are You’re Willing to Adapt?
So here’s the takeaway for YouTubes Executives: If your vision of the future is one where content is predictable and “safe,” where satire is treated as dangerous, and where creative expression has to tiptoe to stay in bounds, then that future may look alarmingly empty. Content creators, especially those in satire, will go where they’re understood and valued.
A Reason for Reexamination or a Farewell?
Creators and audiences alike are paying attention to how YouTube handles issues of creativity, satire, and artistic freedom.
As for @FreshTakeOnHumor, its creator would love to be reinstated. But, should that not happen, it’s clear that other platforms are waiting in the wings, open-minded and ready for the self proclaimed “FreshTakes” that once defined YouTube’s best days.
Update at 10:30 PM ET: YouTube’s Team response on X/Twitter remains unchanged from their previous statements to channel suspensions.
For further clarification: This commentary was written and published on October 30, 2024, by an artist with over 18 years of experience in the professional media industry. As a tech enthusiast and independent small publisher, the artist discusses their publishing work in this opinion piece.
