National Bans for You Tube: The Debate in Thailand in Comparison with India, Turkey and Germany

Abstract

Debates about national bans for the video station Youtube shows that there are different views about appropriate content and the extent of freedom of expression on the internet. In particular the question of what constitutes insult to the national leaders or symbols is culturally specific and will be interpreted differently in various countries. Historical circumstances and experiences may also make certain topics particularly sensitive. The result is a more regulated environment with nationally designed internet policies, in which cultural and political difference retain their relevance and are enforced by nation states.