Terrorist Groups Using YouTube to Distribute Propaganda

One of the major features of modern, “web 2.0” internet technologies is the ability for anyone to publish material that can quickly be disseminated across the world. This has been utilized by politicians attempting to widen their election campaigns, companies trying to establish new brands … and terrorists seeking to spread their hateful messages. Despite efforts to block offensive material, leading video website YouTube has fast become a focal point for terrorist groups pursuing new viral mechanisms for distributing their propaganda across the internet. Youtube has recently responded to numerous government requests to remove videos of radical Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki urging Muslims to take up arms against the United States. Despite their efforts however, many videos remain available and even more terrorist propaganda is constantly being posted.

A simple search for prominent Al-Qaeda member Anwar al-Awlaki on YouTube will reveal dozens of video clips, many of which preach hatred towards the USA and all non-believers in Islam. According to the ” title=”sermons on the Biblical/Qu’ranic figure of Lot ” target=”_blank”>sermons on the Biblical/Qu’ranic figure of Lot (which quickly turns into an anti-homosexuality rant) to ” title=”rants against the Freemasons” target=”_blank”>rants against the Freemasons to ” title=”attract abusive and violent responses” target=”_blank”> abusive and violent responses from jihadist supporters.

Many jihadist groups post their videos in a number of different languages such as Arabic, English, French and Russian in an effort to broaden their reach and influence. And the range of groups using YouTube stretch way beyong Al-Qaeda.

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