文字的力量：反驳“油管至上”的误导与对严肃传媒的坚持

On Wang Zhian's Implicit Advocacy for YouTube Supremacy: A Flawed and Selfish Perspective

In an interview about Li's LI Coin initiative, Wang Zhian repeatedly hinted that anyone seeking to spread ideas should turn to YouTube, praising its algorithm as outstanding. He implied that failing to earn money on YouTube is due to a lack of competence and market demand. He went as far as to suggest that YouTube stands supreme, demeaning other mediums in comparison. Furthermore, he claimed to have mastered how to avoid the "yellow-tag" demonetization. I find his views fundamentally flawed and selfish! Viewership and revenue do not equate to the quality of journalism. The most serious Western media outlets are still in print, where investigative reports are thoroughly conducted, even though TV and video formats attract far larger audiences and generate significantly more revenue. Text-based media remains irreplaceable!

This conviction is why I continue writing on X, even though fewer people read articles compared to watching videos, and the platform generates negligible income. Over the past year, I’ve accumulated millions of views, earning roughly $200—about $100 after deducting subscription fees. A comparable audience on YouTube would generate substantial revenue. The innate ability of video platforms to incorporate ads makes them far more profitable than text media.

However, the video space often thrives on sensationalism. Outrageous content frequently garners higher traffic and more profits. Conversely, readers tend to be more serious. My target audience comprises thoughtful and serious readers. Because writing generates minimal income, our goals remain pure, focusing on accuracy and objectivity.

Let me reiterate: text-based media is irreplaceable. Moreover, YouTube's algorithm and content moderation raise significant concerns. These flaws highlight the importance of Elon Musk’s decision to acquire X at a loss, a move with profound implications for global freedom of speech. If Wang Zhian were correct, then Musk would appear foolish, better off investing in Google stock. Yet, not everyone is shortsighted or driven solely by profit.

I don’t oppose video content. Many invite me to appear as a guest on their YouTube channels, and I occasionally assist with shows. These programs are often unconcerned with viewership metrics or demonetization, with some channels opting to forgo ads entirely to avoid self-censorship for fear of losing ad revenue. The pursuit of truth cannot be constrained by financial concerns.

I find Wang Zhian’s ideology problematic. He implies that if you seek to spread ideas while needing income, YouTube is the only viable path. Not pursuing this avenue is framed as a personal failing. While I can accept that X generates no revenue for me, others genuinely require income—ideals cannot sustain a hungry stomach. I fully understand why some people rely on donations and financial support. Though I find cryptocurrency fundraising questionable, I disagree even more with Wang Zhian's YouTube-centric perspective. His view is overly simplistic and detached from reality.

I used to admire Wang Zhian’s programs for their vivid storytelling, trusting that, as a professional journalist, he diligently fact-checked his content. However, several of his shows, particularly those involving Li Nanyang and other acquaintances, revealed numerous fundamental and publicly available inaccuracies. These errors caused distress to those involved. Even when fans in his comment sections pointed out his mistakes, he failed to clarify them. Since then, my trust in the integrity of his programs has significantly diminished.

I am aware that many friends run excellent YouTube channels and earn good income. But Wang Zhian’s insinuation that success or failure on YouTube reflects one’s competence and market validation is absurd. Many highly profitable and widely viewed channels thrive on misinformation. YouTube is not, and should not be, the sole platform.

While I do not oppose YouTube and may one day adapt my articles into videos on different platforms, viewership and revenue remain secondary for me and the hosts who invite me. I never charge for guest appearances, and any future monetization of my articles will depend on circumstances. Some friends even turn off ads on their channels altogether. Play counts and revenue are poor indicators of quality. Wang Zhian’s market-choice argument is fundamentally flawed.