AN EXAMPLE OF INTERNET CENSORSHIP IN TURKEY: YOUTUBE

(by: Duygu Hatipoglu, Ferzan Ozyasar)(by: Duygu Hatipoglu, Ferzan Ozyasar)

Reasons for the Website bans:

1591 sites were banned till February 2009

523 sites because of pornography 130 sites for damaging copyright

legislations 79 for gambling 77 for opposing the Turkish Penal Code (taken from: http://mindtrick.net/blockedinturkey/list.php )

Law No 5156 (The Internet Law):

8 types of Internet Crimes:

-Encouraging suicide-Child Abuse-Easing the distribution and usage of drugs-Illegal distribution of medicine-Prostitution-Pornography-Illegal Gambling-Insulting Ataturk

The Youtube in Turkey:

-The 17th most popular site even during the ban

-Users usually access the content via Ktunnel

-Was banned and re-opened 6 times between June 2007 and January 2008

-Ban not lifted since May 2008

Court Decisions about the Youtube:

Block Starts Block ends Court 05.05.2008 - Ankara 1st Criminal Court of Peace

03.12.2008 04.01.2008 Ankara 1st Criminal Court of Peace

01.01.2008 02.01.2008 Ankara 12th Criminal Court of Peace

09.01.2007 10.01.2007 NA

07.01.2007 08.01.2007 NA

05.01.2007 06.01.2007 NA

03.06.2007 04.01.2007 1st Criminal Court of Peace

(taken from: http://mindtrick.net/blockedinturkey/list.php )

Banning websites damages:

-The right of receiving information

-The right of publicizing opinion

-The right to a fair trial

WHAT CAN BE DONE ?

-Cooperating with the internet users while creating the legal framework

-More objective criteria and concrete definitions must be used in the internet laws

-Practical objection mechanisms must be created

-There must be specialized judges, lawyers and attorneys in the area