Montreal (May 23, 2018) – Friends of Simon WiesenthalCenter (FSWC) would like to express concern following a reportfrom Quebec's La Presse newspaper outlining how hate speech on YouTube iscreating revenue for hate groups – and Google's video service. 

La Presse raised theconcern by citing the example of nativist vlogger Jean-FrançoisGariépy who reportedly earns up to $1,000 per hour through sponsored posts inthe comments section of his broadcasts alone. 

Earlier this month, a Gariépy broadcast with white supremacist Richard Spencerearned the Quebecer $800 from the YouTube "Super Chats," according toLa Presse. YouTube collects a portion of all revenue from the posts. 

While comments violatingthe broadcaster's terms of service were removed, the newspaper reported thatmany offensive promoted posts were featured prominently during the broadcastsfor several minutes.

"Super Chat is a relatively newoption,"  YouTubespokesperson Nicole Bell told La Presse. "It is a source ofminor revenue, but growing for several creators, and we are in the process ofreexamining our policies in light of these rare cases."