YouTuber Philip DeFranco calls out New York Times for apparently labeling him “far-right” Philip DeFranco, YouTube / Wikimedia CommonsPhilip DeFranco is a popular face on YouTube, known for bringing a largely impartial take on current events and popular culture through his growing team of journalists – but one major news outlet is painting him in a less-than-favorable light. The New York Times published a piece called ‘The Making of a YouTube Radical’ on June 8, which told the story of “college dropout” Caleb Cain, who had reportedly been indoctrinated with far-right ideology thanks to various YouTube channels – one of which appeared to be Philip DeFranco. As users scroll through the piece, they are met with a series of YouTube thumbnails featuring such figures as Ben Shapiro and Jordan Peterson. However, one face stands out in the mix: that of Philip DeFranco, who called out the New York times for this apparent alignment with the far-right. 600https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/06/08/technology/youtube-radical.html“Hey uhhh @nytimes…what the fuck is this?” DeFranco Tweeted. NYT tech columnist Kevin Roose was quick to reply to DeFranco, explaining that the thumbnails were a sample of 12,000 videos taken from Cain’s YouTube history from 2015 onwards – a statement backed up by a memo at the beginning of the article. Hey, writer here. This collage is just a sample from his viewing history. Some far-right, some not. — Kevin Roose (@kevinroose) June 8, 2019 “Hey, writer here,” Roose responded. “This collage is just a sample from his viewing history. Some far-right, some not.” However, DeFranco was nonplussed by Roose’s explanation, arguing that users skimming through the piece might label him as a far-right mouthpiece due to his appearance in collage. “Then please speak with your graphics department,” DeFranco shot back. “Because this slowly disappearing thumbnail collage with escalating language seems to insinuate a lot. You know how many people skim or just read headlines.” Then please speak with your graphics department. Bc this slowly disappearing thumbnail collage with escalating language seems to insinuate a lot. You know how many people skim or just read headlines. — Philip DeFranco (@PhillyD) June 8, 2019 DeFranco wasn’t the only high-profile YouTuber to speak out on the issue, either; Drama Alert’s Daniel ‘KEEMSTAR’ Keem likewise called out the Times in a Tweet of his own, despite his ongoing and largely one-sided beef with DeFranco. “The NY Times. the most trusted news source in America, literally suggested @PhillyD was Far Right!!!” KEEMSTAR wrote. “Hahahahah journalism in America is dead!!!” The NY Times the most trusted news source in America literally suggested @PhillyD was Far Right!!! Hahahahah journalism in America is dead!!! https://t.co/WCUMSYgdJe — KEEM :popcorn: (@KEEMSTAR) June 8, 2019 Philip DeFranco has since provided an update on the matter, claiming that the New York times has amended the matter – although he still took issue with being represented amidst the “escalating language” of the piece. UPDATE. Was informed the @nytimes article was updated. BUT upon checking I still showed up as one of the last people associated with the escalating language (this time no Kimmel) and they added a nonspecific “but not all of them” caption if people scroll down. Lol wtf pic.twitter.com/aMQd0s0uC5 — Philip DeFranco (@PhillyD) June 8, 2019 This issue follows another “adpocalypse” on YouTube, which cropped up amidst a debacle between commentator Stephen Crowder and Vox journalist Carlos Maza, who called out YouTube for not dealing with Crowder’s comments against him. The issue has since raised a heated discussion on the limitations of “free speech” throughout social media, with many top YouTubers speaking out on the matter across the web.
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