Google's strangulating independent political media on Youtube

[LurkerJ]

Lafiel said:

so youtube personalities are scared because they have to get their viewers to donate via patreon or procure their own advertisers if they want to live by putting out controversial content

calling them "independent" is a bit rich, when they are this dependent on Youtube/Google getting them advertisers

The term independent is used loosely these days. The Weeknd is signed by one of the biggest record labels and he lists himself as an independent artist, because he's the only one responsible for what's included in album and what's left out, compared to someone like Britney Spears, who's told what can and can't be included in her albums, he's considered independent.

Independent youtubers are also the ones who decide what to include in their channel, no one has dictated what they can and can't say to benefit from ads money up until now. Compared to Fox news and CNN, they are considered independent.

I agree the term isn't being accurately used here, but in a sense, it can be applied correctly.