Turkey - It was announced this week that the government of Turkey has lifted its ban on YouTube.
However, the government has again put a ban back on the popular website today. The original ban was placed on website two years ago because of some users posting videos that insulted the countries founder, Ataturk. Which, for those of you who have lived in Turkey, is not only frowned upon it is actually a crime.
A German company had managed to delete all the videos off YouTube and this allowed the ban to be lifted. However, YouTube refused to remove a video that showed a former Turkish politician in a bedroom with his assistant this week prompting the government to yet again place a ban on the website.
This has caused more uproar with journalists and humanitarian's that are trying to fight online censorship. Turkey's online censorship is being compared to the likes of China (low blow there!).
Despite the block on YouTube, it is still very very easy to get around the ban as many people in the country still use the website (including yours trully).
Lets hope that the country will try to continue its move into the 21st century and this little set back will only be a hickup in progress. I am sure the journalists who are in prison and have been in prison would agree that Turkey needs to grow a sense of humour.
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