For years, YouTube claimed to stand for free speech—yet it banned countless creators simply for challenging the mainstream narrative on Covid-19 or asking questions about the 2020 election. These voices weren’t spreading hate or inciting violence. They were engaging in public debate on topics that affect every American.

Now, even YouTube admits it went too far. The platform is beginning to reinstate some of the creators it previously banned under policies that no longer exist. But that’s not enough. Many voices remain silenced. Many channels remain deleted. And there has still been no accountability for how these policies were used to disproportionately target conservative content.

What happened was wrong—and it must be made right. YouTube should immediately and fully reinstate all creators who were banned under now-defunct Covid and election misinformation rules. That includes restoring access to their channels, their followers, and their ability to earn ad revenue. Anything less sends the message that platforms can silence people for political reasons, then quietly change course without ever acknowledging the damage they caused.

Free speech should never be at the mercy of Silicon Valley’s shifting policies or Washington’s pressure campaigns. If YouTube is serious about supporting civic discourse, it must stand up for everyone’s right to be heard—even when it’s unpopular.

We call on Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Neal Mohan to:

• Publicly commit to reinstating all wrongfully banned accounts
• Provide transparency about the reinstatement process
• Ensure future content moderation does not discriminate based on viewpoint

Let’s make sure YouTube doesn’t just talk about free speech—it actually defends it.

Photo: Chris Ratcliffe / Bloomberg via Getty Images file