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U.S.

YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki Gets 'Freedom Expression' Award Sponsored
by YouTube

By Christina Zhao On 4/20/21 at 3:27 PM EDT
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U.S. Youtube Awards

YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki received a "Free Expression" award from
the Freedom Forum Institute in a virtual ceremony sponsored by
YouTube, an online video platform owned by Google.

On Thursday, YouTube creator Molly Burke presented Wojcicki with the
accolade in a video shared to the platform. "I'm so excited to be
here tonight to present Susan Wojcicki with the Free Expression
award. As the CEO of YouTube, Susan is facing some of the most
critical issues around free expression today," Burke said.

Wojcicki sat down for an interview during the online ceremony, during
which she emphasized the importance of free speech and the role that
YouTube plays in protecting it.

Susan Wojcicki
YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki speaks as San Francisco mayor London Breed
looks on during a press conference at Hamilton Families on November
21, 2019 in San Francisco, California. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

"I've just seen the real benefits that freedom of speech has, as well
as representing people of all different backgrounds and all different
perspectives, and the freedoms that we have, we really can't take for
granted," she said. "We really have to make sure that we're
protecting them in every way possible. I feel, because of my family
history, a deep connection to those freedoms and I'm very thankful
for the freedoms that I have."

The tech CEO also discussed the platform balancing people's right to
free speech with protecting the community from harmful content.

"We want to be able to have as diverse and open a platform as
possible and represent as many views as possible on the platform, but
we also need to make sure there are limits," she said. "Since the
beginning of YouTube we've had community guidelines."

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Wojcicki continued: "From the very beginning, we wouldn't allow adult
content, hate content, dangerous content, all of those types of
content could really make it that YouTube is no longer a platform
that's viable for all those different voices out there."

"As YouTube has become bigger and has had more of an impact, we've
seen a need to increase what we're doing from a responsibility
standpoint," she added.

Following the ceremony, some Twitter users mocked Wojcicki for
receiving an award that was sponsored by her own platform.

"YouTube CEO won a Free Speech award...sponsored by YouTube.
Hahahahhhaahhhahhahahahaaaaaaa," one user wrote.

    YouTube CEO won a Free Speech award...sponsored by YouTube.
    Hahahahhhaahhhahhahahahaaaaaaa pic.twitter.com/QX56hNUnFL

    -- Matt Orfalea (@0rf) April 19, 2021

Another wrote, "Lol, youtube receiving an award for free expression/
pro first amendment is Orwellian s***. What's next, Facebook getting
an award for respecting privacy?"

    Lol, youtube receiving an award for free expression/pro first
    amendment is Orwellian sh!t. What's next, Facebook getting an
    award for respecting privacy? https://t.co/PEiT3ZUgMB

    -- Solidarity   (@Karlmarxhd) April 18, 2021

Newsweek reached out to YouTube for comment. This story will be
updated with any response.

Watch highlights from the Freedom Forum's "Free Expression Award"
ceremony below:

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