In a major development, YouTube has terminated the official channel of the controversial Nigerian televangelist TB Joshua’s megachurch. The move comes after a joint investigation by the BBC and openDemocracy revealed evidence of rampant sexual abuse and torture by the late preacher. Emmanuel TV, the platform that played a pivotal role in TB Joshua’s rise to fame, has been suspended on multiple occasions for breaching YouTube’s community guidelines. This recent termination underscores the growing pressure on social media platforms to enforce stricter online safety policies.
TB Joshua, the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (Scoan), passed away in 2021, leaving his wife Evelyn Joshua in charge of the church’s operations. The Scoan has yet to comment on the removal of their YouTube channel but has previously dismissed allegations of misconduct as baseless. Emmanuel TV, with over half a million followers and millions of views, has been a prominent Christian network, reaching audiences worldwide.
During the investigation, openDemocracy discovered at least 50 “abusive” videos on Emmanuel TV’s YouTube platform. Disturbing content ranged from videos showcasing individuals with mental health issues being held in chains to cases of medical misinformation and smear campaigns against women who exposed TB Joshua’s sexual abuse. These findings prompted openDemocracy to report the videos to YouTube, resulting in the channel’s suspension in January.
YouTube, a subsidiary of Google, stated that Emmanuel TV was terminated for violating hate speech policies. This action aligns with the social media giant’s ongoing efforts to combat hate speech, misinformation, and harmful content on its platform. The removal of TB Joshua’s controversial channel raises questions about the responsibility of online platforms in curbing the spread of harmful ideologies and protecting vulnerable users.
This incident follows the discontinuation of Emmanuel TV’s satellite channel on MultiChoice, a major satellite service provider in Africa. MultiChoice dropped the channel in January 2022, further limiting TB Joshua’s reach to his global audience. However, despite reports from openDemocracy highlighting abusive behavior by accounts affiliated with the church and Emmanuel TV, YouTube has yet to remove these accounts.
The termination of Emmanuel TV’s YouTube channel for hate speech violation has significant implications for the future of online safety and the accountability of religious figures. It highlights the need for robust moderation processes to prevent the dissemination of harmful content and protect users from abuse. Moreover, this incident calls for a reevaluation of the role social media platforms play in amplifying controversial personalities and ideologies.
With YouTube and other social media platforms facing increased scrutiny, particularly regarding their handling of hate speech and online safety, this episode presents an opportunity for policymakers, tech companies, and civil society organizations to collaborate and develop effective mechanisms for protecting users from harmful content. The growing influence of religious figures in the digital realm necessitates a comprehensive approach to safeguarding vulnerable individuals and ensuring that platforms are not exploited to perpetuate abuse and misinformation.
As society grapples with the repercussions of TB Joshua’s exposed misconduct and the subsequent removal of his megachurch’s YouTube channel, it is crucial to prioritize the protection of vulnerable individuals, promote transparency in religious organizations, and establish robust mechanisms for addressing online harm. The actions taken by YouTube serve as a critical step in this direction, but sustained efforts are necessary to create safer and more accountable online spaces for users around the world.
