UK TalkRadio banned from YouTube
January 5, 2021
YouTube has removed TalkRadio’s channel from its platform. It has not given an explanation for its action, but there is speculation that it relates to its rules on Covid-19-related misinformation, according to the BBC.
Fact-checkers have repeatedly challenged some of the claims made by interviewees featured by the station. TalkRadio said it was seeking an explanation and defended its output.
“We urgently await a detailed response from Google/YouTube about the nature of the breach that has led to our channel being removed from its platform,” it said on Twitter. “We regularly interrogate government data and we have controls in place, use verifiable sources and give space to careful selection of voices and opinions.”
TalkRadio had used YouTube to livestream shows and to offer highlights as clips that could be embedded elsewhere. For now its YouTube entry reads “This account has been terminated for violating YouTube’s Community Guidelines.”
TalkRadio has about 424,000 listeners, according to the latest figures from market research provider Rajar. It continues to stream its programmes via its own website as well as Facebook.