YouTube Bans Trump-Friendly OANN For One Week After Network Touted Fake Covid Cure

Topline

YouTube blocked One America News Network (OANN) from posting new videos or earning money on its platform for one week after the conservative network promoted misleading information about the Covid-19 pandemic, Axios first reported, a move that comes as the network gains new attention amid President Trump’s feud with Fox News.

Key Facts

Forbes has reached out to OANN and YouTube for comment. 

Big Number

1.2 million. That’s how many subscribers OANN has on YouTube. 

Crucial Quote

After Fox News called Arizona, and then the election for President-elect Joe Biden, Trump turned on the network, and called on his supporters to watch ultra-conservative networks OANN and Newsmax instead. 

Surprising Fact

As of Tuesday, Newsmax and OANN have yet to call the election for Biden. 

Key Background

YouTube, which is owned by Google, has not been as aggressive in curbing the spread of misinformation in the aftermath of the election as Facebook and Twitter, which have both aggressively labeled posts about voting. A group of Democratic senators sent a letter to YouTube Tuesday urging the company to do more to combat misinformation surrounding the election.

Tangent

In an interview with the New Yorker, Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy said the network has an “editorial policy of being supportive of the president and his policies” and defended airing Trump’s unfounded conspiracy theories about the election as “great for news.”

Further Reading

On Trump’s New Favorite TV Channels, The Election Rages On (Forbes)

Newsmax CEO Suggests Airing Unconfirmed Voter Fraud Claims Is Good For Business (Forbes)