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Another Internet censuring attempt fails: Russians win YouTube back
Published: 03 September, 2010, 20:59
Edited: 05 September, 2010, 04:11
TAGS: Crime, Russia, Piracy, Internet, Information Technology, Prime Time Russia
Internet users from Russia's Far East sigh with relief as a regional court has at last lifted a ban on YouTube, which had been blocked for allegedly promoting extremist ideology.
Judges from a higher court altered the controversial ruling and listed particular pages with “extremist materials” that have to be blocked instead of the whole resource.
The ban, imposed in July by a district court, made local Internet providers block access to a range of web libraries which happened to contain Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf.” As for YouTube, the site ended up as “potentially dangerous resource” because of the video “Russia for Russians” uploaded by its users.
The radical decision shocked the public. The Novy Region news agency reports that some bloggers even argued that by blocking YouTube, the authorities had implicitly labeled “extremist” Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev, whose video blog was regularly posted on the site.
“The district court’s decision was right and legal,” local prosecutor Vladimir Pakhomov was quoted as saying by Vostok-Media news agency. “Russia’s Ministry of Justice has published a list of more than 100 books and videos regarded as extremist. Their distribution by any means is forbidden.”
Local providers argue that censuring the information on websites is beyond their responsibility.
“I’m like a postman. I have nothing to do with the newspapers I’m carrying to different people,” the head of a local Internet service provider was quoted as saying by Kommersant newspaper. “The judges should address those who own YouTube. But the thing is that Google is far away, and we are here, on the next street.”
Local media, however, say that the court decision does not change anything. The sites could simply relocate the listed files, which would already make hosting them legal.
Thus, another attempt to introduce Internet censure has failed. Although in March 2010 Reporters Without Borders listed Russia among potential “enemies of the Internet,” so far the country has firmly held its ground. It is worth adding that despite multiple attempts to close down a popular file sharing website, Torrents.Ru, the resource is functioning under a different name and is gradually regaining its popularity.
02.09.2010, 22:25
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This is great news for Russian's and also for freedom of speech too, this is a rare thing these days to win against the west's tyrannous way's of controlling media, I fully praise this Russian Success, as You Tube now will have to change it's attitude toward Russia. It is most important mentioning that Russia was steadfast with this case and have made a great triumph. Well Done Russia.
WHAT is happening RT?!! I'm not surprise of the Western anti-Vladimir Putin campaign with organized small demonstrations inside and outside of Russia and all systematic Western news report attacks where they take PM Putin for the usual target!. But recent changes start to worry me with "Russian" sources more and more promote typical Western propaganda and interests. I've just read on Interfax that "Kremlin-sponsored think tank draws up report proposing Russia's integration into NATO" has come out with idea (supported by President Medvedev) that Russia might become part of the (criminal organization) NATO!?! LINK http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=187068 I find that very upsetting and can't believe that kind of politics is supported by Vladimir Putin. Now in video your reporter relates (insinuate) that traveling of PM Putin to Far East has something to do with Youtube censorship?!?! I still remember President Yeltsin who almost ruined Russia be cause of his "friendship" with the West. He was great "friend" with the West and "Western democracy" style , just like some of you in Russia try to be today.... And if it wasn't for President Putin now would Russia's oil&gas and other resources be in Western hands if not whole Russia.! VLADIMIR PUTIN PRESIDENT 2012 !