Creeping Fascism: Google Censors Climate Change Denial Ads

by Bernard P. Lawson, The Chicago Times

October 9, 2021

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – The continuing march of censorship on social media was propelled forward this week by Google’s decree that digital ads and creators promoting climate change denial on YouTube will be censored. 

In a statement, Google claimed the decision was a result of growing concerns “expressed” by advertising and publishing partners about ads that promote differing claims on climate change being paired with their content.

The real fascist crackdown comes with the demonetization of creators that post content supporting climate change denial.  According to Google, content that calls climate change a hoax or denies that greenhouse gas emissions and human activity have contributed to the earth’s long-term warming will be “restricted”.

Google will enforce the policy with both automated tools and “Stasi-like” human censors when it goes into effect in November for publishers and YouTube creators, and in December for advertisers.

Advertisements will continue to be permitted on content about other related topics, such as public debates on climate policy.  Yet there was no comment on how Google defines “public debate” in what was once a society founded on a culture of freedom of speech and thought. 

Some have said public debate could be too polarizing, thus to limit the “threat” of polarization (difference in thought) all “free thought and debate” must be shut down in the name of “public safety”.  Apparently, Google assumes people are too stupid to make their own decision and must follow the new “one think” policy.

Google is one of the two dominant players in the global digital ad industry, earning $147 billion in ad revenue last year. Facebook, the other big player [Big Brother], prohibits ads used to spread misinformation though it doesn’t list “specific” topics including climate change denial.

Whatever your views are, this move is another example these platforms are no longer arenas for freedom of thought and debate.  The internet is now one step further into the fascist realm.

Bernard P. Lawson, National Political Reporter/Columnist for The Chicago Times.  Views and comments expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Chicago Times.