From aliens to government cover-ups, conspiracy theories have been ubiquitous in popular culture, media and entertainment for decades. More recently, the rise of the internet and online forums has led to an explosion in conspiracy theory content.
While belief in conspiracy theories runs the gamut from casual X-Files fans to hardcore, tinfoil hat wearing believers, opinion polls regularly highlight their appeal.
More than 60 per cent of Americans suspect the government isn’t telling the truth about the JFK assassination, for example, and 50 per cent doubt the official explanation of the 9/11 attacks. In Australia, nearly one in four believe aliens have visited the earth.
It was unsurprising, then, that YouTube’s crackdown on conspiracy theory content announced last week — which came following sustained political pressure — sparked outrage and cries of censorship from some corners of the internet. (more…)
Tags: censorship, free speech, YouTube, YouTube Censorship