AfD-Nahe Youtuber: Werben neben Hass und Hetze A campaign led by the non-governmental organization Campact has revealed which companies frequently advertise alongside videos by far-right YouTube creators, some of whom are affiliated with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The initiative, involving around 15,000 supporters, uncovered that numerous corporations have been using their advertising budgets to promote content that spreads hate and misinformation. Some companies have already taken steps to distance themselves from these practices. YouTube influencers, including those aligned with the AfD, generate substantial revenue through ad placements due to high viewership numbers. This system allows right-wing content to gain visibility and financial support, often facilitated by platforms like Google. However, companies can choose to block specific advertisers, offering them a means to avoid associating with such content. Campact launched an action to identify which businesses were placing ads before videos by prominent AfD-aligned YouTubers. Participants were asked via email to report instances of advertisements appearing before videos from influential right-wing channels. A dedicated website called Adwatch allowed users to click on sample videos and report the preceding ads. Over a week, more than 30,000 reports were received, revealing the extent of corporate involvement. The results showed that Kleinanzeigen, a classifieds platform, was the most frequent advertiser, appearing 1,223 times. Other notable advertisers included Revolut, Sumup, Google Pay, BMW, Tui, and several other firms. More than 100 additional companies were mentioned, with many appearing between five and 100 times. These findings highlight the widespread nature of this issue, indicating that even major brands are contributing to the amplification of extremist messages. Campact then sent letters to approximately 100 of the most frequently named companies, emphasizing that YouTube is not just an entertainment platform but a key site for radicalization by the extreme right. They argued that certain channels reach millions of views and are enhanced by advertising, sometimes even financially supported by these ads. The goal was to raise awareness among businesses about how and where their advertisements are displayed, highlighting the social responsibility they bear. Campaigner Friederike Gravenhorst explained that while companies might not intentionally place ads beside hate speech, they still share responsibility for supporting such content. She noted that firms investing in image management would not willingly associate their brand with hatred and prejudice. The letters urged companies to exclude AfD-linked channels with over 10,000 subscribers from their advertising partnerships. As of Friday, 18 companies had agreed to update their exclusion lists, including Kleinanzeigen, Indeed, and Aldi Süd. Another ten companies announced plans to review their policies and engage further with the issue. Several others indicated they needed more time to assess the situation, while some had yet to respond. Meanwhile, Katja Lucke, director of the Documentation Center Prora on Rügen, is preparing a unique form of protest ahead of the state elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. With the AfD leading in polls, she fears the threat to democratic values and cultural diversity. To counter this, she organized a “relay race for democracy, human rights, and diversity” on September 5th, encouraging participants to take part in a symbolic run rather than a competitive race. Local bike rentals, restaurants, and schools have expressed interest in joining the event, reflecting community support for her cause.
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