Turkish authorities blocked YouTube

Turkish authorities on Thursday, March 27, blocked access to YouTube video hosting. The Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) considers this step to "neglect fundamental rights - freedom of speech and freedom of the media."

The organization’s website published a statement by its representative Duni Miyatovich, in which the blocking is called a manifestation of censorship, unacceptable in a democratic society. The statement also notes that Türkiye violates international standards and OSCE standards.

The website of the Turkish telecommunication regulator TIB reports that “administrative measures” were taken against YouTube and that negotiations are underway with representatives of video hosting, Interfax reports. For some users, access to the site is still open.

The ban was followed by the publication on YouTube records of the secret government meeting. The votes of high -ranking officials are heard on it, who, according to the Hurriyet Daily newspaper, are discussing plans for possible interference in the situation in Syria. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the publication of this material on the video hosting “an immoral, vile and dishonest” act.

On March 21, access to the Twitter microblog network was blocked in Turkey, but on March 26 the administrative court in Ankara suspended the blocking with its decision.