By Neelabja Adkuloo
In a shocking turn of events, YouTube on the 9th of September shut down two crucial North Korean news and propaganda channels. The move came as a blow to academicians and researchers who claim that these accounts provided valuable insights about one of the worlds most secretive countries.
Two channels blocked
Stimmekoreas and Uriminzokkiri, the most popular channels on North Korea that had racked up 20,000 and 18,000 subscribers respectively, were pulled off. YouTube blocked the former account due to a legal complaint and the latter for violating YouTubes community guidelines. As per Los Angeles Times and other media sources, the action was taken not because of the content in the channel but because the North Korean regime could earn money from it through advertising.
Uriminzokkiri is run by the North Korean governments propaganda wing. One of the videos on the channel, warning the Trump administration that it should keep its eyes and ears open from now on, went viral overnight. Furthermore, the uploaded footage of the attack simulations on the US and advances in weapons programs gave analysts an insight into the countrys ever-increasing military power. Stimmekoreas, on the other hand, is reportedly run by a North Korean supporter who posts the countrys evening news broadcast in several languages.
Analysts are livid
North Korean propaganda footage is still available on other YouTube accounts as well as Chinese video sites, like Youku. However, the affected channels were the fastest and one of the most reliable sources. Their loss is a grave setback to academicians worldwide.
Researchers whove been studying the footage Kim Jong Uns regime releases on the channels, in search of messages it might be attempting to send foreign governments, are disappointed. Top analysts, like US-based Scott Lafoy, are of the opinion that tracking and digital reconstruction of events will get increasingly difficult with this move.
Is it a bad move?
They pointed out that the channels didn’t display ads and therefore weren’t making money for the North Korean regime– which has been hit with various sanctions to cut off its income sources in light of Pyongyangs recent nuclear tests. An order issued in the US bans residents and companies from providing financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, the government of North Korea.
Arms control expert Jeffrey Lewis believes that Youtube should reverse its decision in the interest of Americas security. Meanwhile, the video-sharing company has made no statement regarding why the particular accounts have been closed down, or for how long.
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