YouTube has taken down the official channel of the disgraced Nigerian televangelist TB Joshua’s megachurch, Emmanuel TV, citing violations of its hate speech policies.
This action follows a recent investigation by the BBC and openDemocracy, which uncovered evidence of widespread sexual abuse and torture linked to the late preacher.
Emmanuel TV played a significant role in TB Joshua’s journey from a local pastor to a global figure. Despite the demise of TB Joshua in 2021, his Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) is now under the leadership of his wife, Evelyn Joshua.
While the church has not provided a statement on the removal, it has previously dismissed allegations of wrongdoing as “unfounded.”
With over half a million followers and hundreds of millions of views, this is the second time in three years that Emmanuel TV’s YouTube channel has faced suspension, citing previous breaches of the platform’s community guidelines.
In collaboration with the BBC, openDemocracy analyzed Emmanuel TV’s online content, identifying at least 50 “abusive” videos on YouTube. The findings prompted the team to report the videos to YouTube, resulting in the suspension of the account on January 29.
YouTube, owned by Google, stated in response to the BBC that Emmanuel TV was “terminated for violating… hate speech policies.”
TB Joshua gained fame for his purported “healing” ministries, featuring services claiming to show him curing the physically disabled and chronically ill, allegations that multiple former church members have since debunked.
The content flagged by openDemocracy included videos depicting people with mental health issues being restrained in chains, instances of medical misinformation, and smear campaigns against women who spoke out about TB Joshua’s sexual abuse.
Emmanuel TV’s satellite channel was dropped by MultiChoice, a South African company operating popular satellite services DStv and GOtv, on January 17. The channel, once among the most successful Christian networks globally, broadcasted to millions worldwide.
Following the BBC’s investigation into TB Joshua, contributors who spoke out have faced online trolling from church and Emmanuel TV affiliated accounts. These accounts were reported to YouTube by openDemocracy, but as of now, they have not been removed.
YouTube and other social media platforms have faced increasing scrutiny regarding their online safety policies in recent years.