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Google, censorship and Assange

Interesting issues to discuss with senior students – censorship, freedom of speech, power, control, governments, corporations, global relations, ethics, religious animosity, tolerance…..

 

The controversial video The innocence of Muslims will stay on YouTube but Google has restricted access to it in 5 countries – India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Libya, Egypt. Google says this is consistent with its principles. Google operates in over 100 countries and handles the majority of search queries worldwide. 72 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute. Does Google have too much power to influence the course of world events?

 

What Google isn’t telling us about the video it banned in 5 countries – Bianca Bosker

“Censoring a video that doesn’t break local laws or violate YouTube’s terms of use marks an extraordinary, highly unusual move on Google’s part that underscores the responsibility tech companies are now shouldering, by virtue of their outsized reach, to arbitrate free speech, shape international affairs and export values from their home nations.”

Some interesting points are raised:

“Would the video have been removed if it was an article?
Would the video have been removed if it had sparked violence by pro-democracy protesters?
Does banning the video reward violence? Is this a lesson that controversial content can be snuffed out if enough people are injured, enough buildings are burned and government officials ask nicely enough?
When does Google listen to violence, and when does it ignore it? Is all violence created equal? Does Google get to decide when other countries are “ready” for free speech?”

 

Eva Galperin: Google’s move sets a dangerous precedent. “While their goal of trying to tamp down violence may have been sincere, the decision was misguided and opens the door for more censorship in the future.”

Jillian York: “By placing itself in the role of arbiter, Google is now vulnerable to demands from a variety of parties and will have to explain why it sees censorship as the right solution in some cases but not in others.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bianca-bosker/google-youtube-innocence-of-muslims_b_1893623.html

Will Russia ban YouTube?

Innocence of Muslims film could get the whole site blacklisted under a new law.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/18/russia-youtube-ban-innocence-of-muslims_n_1894479.html?utm_hp_ref=technology#comments

 

Another interesting resource for discussing censorship – should appeal to high school students:

 

Underground: the Julian Assange story (90 minute telemovie; Channel 10; October)

The previews look great (great promo song) and the reviews are excellent. It has been invited to screen at the Toronto International Film Festival. Directed by Robert Connolly (Balibo). Stars Alex Williams, Rachel Griffiths and Anthony LaPaglia. The intriguing backstory of Assange’s early life – his gypsy lifestyle and mistrust of authority during his teenage days as a hacker. Assange is portayed as a flawed hero, railing against the establishment.

http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2012/09/underground-the-julian-assange-story.html

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117948298/

 

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