What are some issues here? Do governments have the right to censor information to people?
Is this a just decision for the people of Sudan?
Should limitations on free speech exist for publishers/film makers and other members of the media?
If so, who determines them?
See story here:
http://www.rnw.nl/africa/bulletin/sudan-blocks-youtube-over-anti-islam-film
I don't think this is an issue of "free speech", rather a preventative measure. I looked it up and the people of Sudan are mainly Muslim (1). After the attacks in Libya, the Middle East is getting heat from America, and it is wise of the Sudan government to prevent the people from seeing this video, in case of further aggression towards the Americans.
ReplyDeleteI think limits should be in place, even just for the present while the relations between America and the Middle East are so rocky. Both sides need to be more careful about what they put into the media to avoid further attacks (and quite possibly a war). I think the government should review projects that cover things like the Islamic religion and the Middle East, to avoid prejudiced videos.
1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Sudan
Kailey that’s a righteous post! I definitely agree with you, if the video had been left on it may have led to increased anti-American sentiments. At a time where things are already on edge this video could have pushed things further. Although, I will say that limits on things such as YouTube and Google do affect free speech which is important, this really does not seem like a matter of free speech. It also seems that they tried to remove the video itself, which was impossible, and led them to block all of YouTube until the film itself can be taken off.
Deletehttp://www.africanews.com/site/Sudan_blocks_Youtube_over_antiIslam_film/list_messages/42328
This is my weekly post:I totally agree with Kaileyeinstein, relationships between the Middle-East and the "Western World" has been getting worse ever since 9/11 and the Gulf War. Both of us have different religions and are very loyal to them. But the thing is it was just a couple of people that made the video that mocked the Islamic religion, and just because they're from the United States does not mean you go kill incessant people that are trying to help out your country. I feel these people that the murders and people that attacked the embassy should be put on trial.
ReplyDeleteKK
This is my weekly post:
ReplyDeleteIt is highly understandable the people of Sudan are upset over this matter. I completely agree with Kaileyeinstein that this video being blocked in Sudan is a wise idea to aviod any further aggression. Though the point I would like to stress here is that this video has been deleted completely from YouTube, not just blocked in Muslim countries.
Whether you're a communist or free country does not give the government, in my opinion, the right to remove media they feel is not suitable for the internet. As citizens we are fully capable of decidng what is or isn't "good" for us to watch. Each religion has their own opinion of certain things, and if the governments from multiple countries were to ban everything they thought was unnacceptable for their religion to watch, what else are they willing to ban? And what are they willing to do to ensure this happens?
Censoring the news is never in anyone's best interest, as we overcommodate minorities. Publishers, film makers and other members of the media should have some right of free speech to say what they believe. There are so many diatribes we have going on globally, and if we didn't spend so much time worrying about issues like these, we may be able to solve some larger world problems. We see so many issues arrise over religious beliefs when every culture believes something different, so we might as well focus on what's right for everyone.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/09/19/sudan-blocks-youtube-over-anti-islam-film/
http://www.onenewspage.com/n/US/74rfhmvbj/Sudan-blocks-YouTube-over-anti-Islam-film.htm
Well said, Kailey, I absolutely concur. Personally, I feel that religion--because it is such a touchy and sensitive topic--should not be discussed and criticized by any opposing beliefs. Many problems have arisen because of religious disputes and this video very well could have led to yet another war over religion. The government of Sudan did the right thing to have the video banned to prevent any issues from flaring up. Kudos, Sudan.
ReplyDeleteThis is my weekly post. I happen to agree with Kailey. In my opinion, this should not be held in regard as an issue of free speech but rather as one of lack of respect between humanities. 'There are, of course, different views around the world about the outer limits of free speech.... But there should be no debate about the simple proposition that violence in response to speech is not acceptable.” (1) Religious battles have been a fight that has been continuously occurring for centuries past. In all realism, the chances of them coming to a halt at any time in the near future seem unlikely. People will always have their judgments and reservations for those that are different than themselves; it’s how they choose to handle these reservations that draw the line between racists and extremists. I am not condoning the behavior or values of either one of these types of people; I am just trying to say that there are “healthier”, for lack of a better word, ways to handle this frustration that distinguish the two. Publicly slaying someone’s religion is not one of them. As Kailey mentioned, many people of the Sudan are primarily of the Muslim religion. As a result, I completely understand the outrage, anger and hurt that these people are feeling. This type of an attack upon a large group of people will of course cause some repercussions such as the protests being seen today. The person whom they value so much is being slandered by those for whom they possess hatred. The Christian extremists should also understand that by performing such acts of disrespect, they are in fact making a mockery of themselves, that they would fall so low as to take part in such a malignant deed. Whatever happened to “do unto others as you’d have them do to you”? “Google rejected demands to remove the video from YouTube, saying it remained within its guidelines. However, given the very difficult situation in Libya and Egypt, we have temporarily restricted access in both countries." (2) I agree with the limitations that have been set up, at least for the time being, because it is giving people a chance to collect themselves and carry on. However, I do not believe that such a thing should remain on the internet. In my opinion such a reprehensible video should be removed so as not to hurt and anger people even further. The government should instill more filtering on worldwide uploads in order to ensure or perhaps even to aid in the process of preventing such an occurrence from happening again. These are the sparks that lead to the ignited flames of war and riots so it’s best to step out the embers before tragedy begins.
ReplyDelete(1) —U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
(2) http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/09/13/yemen-protesters-muhammad-film.html
And now I'm reading that the U.S. refuses to remove it from youtube - in the name of free speech.
Deletehttp://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Anti-Islam-film-US-court-rejects-block-film-plea/articleshow/16483874.cms
I do believe that it is a wise decision for the country to have banned YouTube for the time being in Sudan to prevent further outburst of anger and irrational attacks against the U.S. I strongly believe that the video is very disrespectful. Personally I believe it’s inhuman to make a mockery out of one’s religion and post it worldwide as a joke. In Sudan the majority of the people are Muslims and believe in the Islam religion in which one of their most sacred prophets is Muhammad...the founder of Islam.(1) Honestly I believe that the reaction to the video is almost expected to have happened. Furthermore, I do agree that there should be some limitations on free speech that is broadcasted through media, not just with this particular incident but in general if we want to try and decrease outrage and violence countries have towards one another. Once again I’m going to stress that it is a very wise and responsible decision for the country to have blocked YouTube because who knows what the irrational decisions driven by anger could have further led to; perhaps war? The fact the U.S is refusing to remove the video due to “free speech” I think will only lead to a negative result and the decision will be regretted when they face the consequences of their choice.
ReplyDelete(1) http://islamacloserlook.com/who-is-muhammad/
I completely agree with Kailey and every one else. The Sudan government was at right to ask Google to take down this video and not let it be seen. People may argue that this is taking away free speech like the American government is but however I disagree after seeing the US ambassador to Libya and three other Americans were killed because of this video, I feel that the Americans are not looking at the bigger picture and not knowing the safety risk. I think absolutely that the Sudan government had the right idea and should be aloud to filter what video is being seen and what information is being given out IF there is a safety risk towards the people themselves
ReplyDeleteI disagree with laura, regardless of the content or subject matter of a video it is an opinion and a right to be for or against any religion or people and just because we disagree with this or don't like it, does not mean it's not their right to post it if they believe it, no matter how corrupt and flawed the belief
ReplyDeleteThis is my weekly post..
ReplyDeleteI believe that the ignorance of the US government in refusal to take the anti-Islam video off of the internet is completely inexcusable. Although, after reading a variety of American, Canadian and Sudanian articles on this issue, I couldn't help but relate and think of how angered I would feel to have the right to a website as globally popular as You Tube stripped from me and my country. SOPA. PIPA. Of course we all remember the day about 6 months ago when Wikipedia, and a number of other websites blacked out in a movement of 'censorship.' Wikipedia receives more than 25 million daily visitors from around the world per day. (1) So, in the event of this blackout, 25 million guests would see a black screen saying 'imagine the world without free knowledge.' Imagine our country without You Tube, would that create more outrage? Possible violence? I believe the people of Sudan do not deserve to have suffer repercussions of the American ignorance. Perhaps other laws should be enforced, in an attempt to control the horrifically violent outbursts experienced throughout the country.
(1)http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2012/01/201211845612779961.html