Jubilee, a widely viewed YouTube channel with over nine million subscribers and more than 1,200 uploaded videos, faces criticism for its recent focus on producing politically centered content. Claiming the channel is used to “provoke understanding & create human connection,” Jubilee creates social experiment-style videos that aim to bring people together to discuss a variety of issues pertaining to their individual beliefs. In addition to political topics, Jubilee is also known for hosting social and cultural debates.
Much of the criticism Jubilee has encountered revolves around their discussion videos. Jubilee’s videos often include series like “Middle Ground,” with individuals from different sides of a controversial topic sharing their viewpoints, “Spectrum,” where participants place themselves along a spectrum based on their agreement with statements and “Versus” videos, where two groups with contrasting views or identities engage in structured debates. People alleged that Jubilee had biased moderation, and selective editing and was not neutral on the topics introduced in their videos. The short, timed format of these videos limits the ability to explore complex issues in depth, increasing the potential for misrepresentation and misunderstanding.
Several individuals who appeared in the college student debate videos have expressed that certain perspectives were highlighted more frequently and portrayed more positively than others. Further allegations have surfaced stating that the editing manipulated the statements made and caused misunderstandings of the participants’ speaking points. In general, these disagreements have led to conversations about the significance of fair portrayal on social media.
One of Jubilee’s videos, specifically, has gained a lot of traction on social media due to the controversial nature of its participants and discourse in general. In this video, 25 liberal college students debate against one conservative activist, Charlie Kirk, on serious political topics.
Kirk, an advocate for conservative values on high school and college campuses, has faced a lot of internet criticism, most famously for when he participated in a debate with 20 college students.
Kirk’s viewpoints have been openly criticized by many people. The backlash he faced was primarily centered around his conservative views on social and political issues and his role in spreading misinformation.
Two of the many issues that Kirk has received backlash on include the downplayment of the COVID-19 pandemic, questioning the effectiveness of vaccines and masks, as well as LGBTQ+ rights, as he has openly stated his opposition to same-sex marriage and the rights of transgender individuals.
People have responded to Kirk’s controversial opinions with varied stances. Many created videos debunking and arguing against his statements. Others have taken a satirical approach, mocking his viewpoints and poking fun at him. While Jubilee’s intention to foster dialogue across different ideologies shows great integrity, the challenge arises when political dialogue is unproductive and creates even more division. For viewers, this serves as a reminder to approach all media critically and to take additional measures to ensure information is accurate and reliable.
