• by Karlene Lukovitz  @KLmarketdaily, March 12, 2020

YouTube, which in an effort to stem disinformation had been banning advertising in videos that include more than a “passing mention” of coronavirus, is now allowing some channels to take such ads. 

In a blog post, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki announced that the platform will now enable ads “for content discussing the coronavirus on a limited number of channels, including creators who accurately self-certify and a range of news partners.”

YouTube is preparing its policies and enforcement processes “to expand monetization to more creators and news organizations in the coming weeks,” she added.

The ban fell under the platform’s “sensitive events” policy, which is meant to apply to short-term events, like natural disasters — it’s now clear that the coronavirus pandemic “is now an ongoing and important part of everyday conversation,” Wojcicki wrote. YouTube wants to ensure that “news organizations and creators can continue producing quality videos in a sustainable way.”