Philip 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.
“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.”
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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.
