Video is a powerful tool for journalism, allowing viewers to experience events as they unfold. However, it can also be manipulated or false and must be handled with integrity, responsibility and the highest journalistic standards. This is especially true for video news channels that do not have the resources and oversight of a traditional news organization.
About one-in-four popular YouTube news channels are affiliated with a media outlet, either as an official channel or a channel focused on a program or show from that outlet. About half of these channels are owned by a major broadcast or cable TV station, while the rest are independent channels.
A significant portion of popular YouTube news channels are oriented around a personality, with the same host appearing in all or most of their videos. This is particularly common among independent channels, with seven-in-ten being hosted by a YouTuber. These personalities are the focus of their content – they discuss topics that are important to their audience, such as politics and current events, and often provide behind-the-scenes glimpses of their daily lives or their travels.
A large share of YouTube news channels have a clear political leaning, with more than a quarter of the most popular focusing on President Trump. A smaller share of videos cite other figures, such as nonpartisan public officials or Democratic members of Congress. A majority of popular YouTube news channels accept donations and offer perks to donors (such as digital stickers or badges that they can use in comments). They are also more likely than other channels to cite external sources, such as polls (6%) or social media posts (5%) or to interview experts (2%).
