YouTube launches a channel for Human Rights

With social networking, particularly on the scene pictures and videos, being a massive part of the uprisal of the Arab Spring, it only makes sense for companies like Google to create platforms where more such content can be shared. Video sharing site, YouTube, which is owned by Google has launched a Human Rights Channel in partnership with the non-profit organization, Witness and video playlist creator, Storyful. YouTube said in a blog post that the channel will be dedicated to curating hours of "raw citizen-video documenting human rights stories that are uploaded daily and distributing that to audiences hungry to learn and take action." Witness will make sure that the content on the new Human Rights channel is balanced and has context, while Storyful will make sure that the content on the channel is real.

YouTube's human right's channel

YouTube says that during the height of the activity in the Arab Spring, 100,000 videos were uploaded in Egypt which was a 70% increase in activity from the previous three months. Issues that have been shot and uploaded include police brutality, discrimination, elder abuse, gender-based violence, socio-economic justice, access to basic resources, and bullying. The channel will also partner up with human rights organizations that already share their work on YouTube to showcase human rights violations, underreported stories, undocumented abuses and in general, underheard voices. 

YouTube, of course, wants to garner activism by launching the channel. They said, "We hope this project can not only be a catalyst to awareness, but offer people new avenues for action and impact. The channel is committed to providing new citizen creators as well as viewers with the tools and information necessary so that every citizen can become a more effective human rights defender." The channel will also be available on Google+ where the broader community can take part in discussions, share material, and find collaborators. The channel will be live at youtube.com/humanrights. Users are welcome to suggest a video for inclusion by emailing the YouTube URL to witness@storyful.com. YouTube requests that you include any and all details around the time, place, and context of the video as well as, be sure to take the time to learn how to protect yourself and your subjects if you’re the one behind the camera.