Weekly Example of Media Bias - November 2, 2016
1. Watch the video. Why do you think YouTube placed it on ‘restricted mode,’ making it inaccessible to schools, libraries and anyone whose parents have enabled YouTube technology filters?
2. Google owns YouTube. Do you think YouTube's blocking of 18 conservative PragerU videos is an example of bias against conservative ideas? Explain your answer.
3. Viewer Nate P. wrote in response: "YouTube is a private entity. It has no legal obligation to be a platform for free speech."
Kyle H. replied: "YouTube is part of the public domain. It's not private. That argument would lose in any local court, circuit court, or the Supreme Court."
What do you think? Are social media platforms YouTube, Instagram and Facebook etc. part of the public domain, or just private companies? Explain your answer.
4. YouTube is owned by Google. It was reported in April that Google and its affiliates have attended meetings at the White House 427 times - more than once a week, on average - since President Barack Obama took office. Wikileaks revealed in August that Google's Eric Schmidt plays a crucial role in Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Do you think this implies a liberal bias on the part of Google and/or YouTube? Explain your answer.