YouTube Will Allow Some Creators To Monetize Coronavirus VideosIt's taking a cautious approach.

YouTube says it's reassessing its coronavirus policies and will enable ads on a limited number of channels that discuss the outbreak. Initially, YouTube demonetized all videos that mentioned coronavirus. But afterfacing backlash, and realizing that this will be an ongoing topic for many creators, YouTube is changing its stance.

At first, YouTube applied itssensitive events policyand placed the coronavirus outbreak under "atrocious acts that result in the loss of human lives." That policy is meant to cover short-term events of significant magnitude, like a natural disaster.

"It's becoming clear this issue is now an ongoing and important part of everyday conversation, and we want to make sure news organizations and creators can continue producing quality videos in a sustainable way,"YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki wrotein a letter to creators.

To start, YouTube will enable ads for a few channels, including those whoself-certify. Wojcicki says YouTube is preparing policies to expand monetization to more creators and news organizations in the coming weeks.

The changes show thefine line YouTube has to walk. It wants to avoid monetizingbogus videos, but it also needs to allow legit outlets to produce useful content. If nothing else, this is a reminder that it's difficult to apply sweeping policies, and YouTube may have to consider "sensitive events" on more of a case-by-case basis.