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YouTube workshops tackle fake news

April 21, 2017

YouTube is launching a new campaign to take on the issue of fake news.

The Google-owned video streaming giant says it will put on workshops aimed at 13 to 18-year-olds in cities across the UK.  The plans, promoted as part of Internet Citizens day, also aim to raise awareness of issues around free speech, comment moderation and online abuse.

YouTube has been criticised in the past for how it tackles hate speech.  Last month the UK government, the BBC and Channel 4 among other, removed its adverts from YouTube amid concerns they were appearing next to “inappropriate” material on the site.

Naomi Gummer, head of public policy at YouTube UK, commented: “The internet is what we want it to be. It can be an unpleasant place where people misunderstand and deliberately deceive each other. Or it can be this amazing place where we can share, collaborate, understand and help each other. We all have a part to play in making it that positive, healthy place. It sounds big, but actually it’s easy and you know what to do. Stand up for what you want.”

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