Gatekeeping in YouTube journalism

Using the example of funk reports, this work examines which factors influence the reach of journalistic YouTube videos. The research is prompted by the strong use of the platform as a news source for young people, as well as the ongoing debate about algorithmic preference for advertising-friendly content through the YouTube adpocalypse. Articles and anecdotal evidence on the topic suggest that there is a conflict between the mandate of journalistic outlets, and the interests of YouTube as an advertising-funded platform. This paper attempts to establish an empirical basis for the discussion about the reach of videos on YouTube.