Friday, August 31, 2007
Banned in Bangkok? Youtube Cuts a Deal
Thai Censors Lift YouTube Ban - New York Times
According to the New York Times Thailand's blocking of Youtube has ended. Youtube had been banned in Bangkok since April 4 following Google's refusal to remove clips that were offensive to the Thai monarchy. Thai citizens had posted video clips that mocked the King. Reporter Seth Mydans writes, "one of the clips showed the king with clown features painted on his face and an image of feet above his head, a highly insulting gesture in Thailand."
According to Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, Thailand's minister of information and communications technology, "“Every country has rules, maybe legally, maybe culturally, that one cannot cross.” Even the Hollywood classic "The King and I" has been banned in Thailand since 1956. Mydans reports that "A strict law imposes a jail term of up to 15 years for anyone who “defames, insults or threatens” the king, queen, heir apparent or regent."
The enforcement of this law has become much more difficult because of the internet and modern communications technology. The Thai government has reached an understanding with Google, the owner of Youtube. Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom told the Times that
According to the New York Times Thailand's blocking of Youtube has ended. Youtube had been banned in Bangkok since April 4 following Google's refusal to remove clips that were offensive to the Thai monarchy. Thai citizens had posted video clips that mocked the King. Reporter Seth Mydans writes, "one of the clips showed the king with clown features painted on his face and an image of feet above his head, a highly insulting gesture in Thailand."
According to Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, Thailand's minister of information and communications technology, "“Every country has rules, maybe legally, maybe culturally, that one cannot cross.” Even the Hollywood classic "The King and I" has been banned in Thailand since 1956. Mydans reports that "A strict law imposes a jail term of up to 15 years for anyone who “defames, insults or threatens” the king, queen, heir apparent or regent."
The enforcement of this law has become much more difficult because of the internet and modern communications technology. The Thai government has reached an understanding with Google, the owner of Youtube. Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom told the Times that
“Any clip that we think is illegal, we will inform YouTube, and YouTube will have a look independently,” he said. “If YouTube agrees that it is illegal for Thailand or against Thai culture, they will block it from viewers in Thailand.”Google has already negotiated with China to limit the kinds of search results that people in China find using their search engine. The corporate lords of the web are seeking a working arrangement with powerful national governments. Nations are being opened for business but not necessarily for free speech.
