The great democracy, India, has now banned a series of websites and Social Media. Clearly, they have issues around freedom of speech and especially when they've seen the role of Social Media in revolution across the globe. They think by banning Twitter, they'll maintain their control. Uh huh, wrong answer.
Turkey has now followed their lead with temporary bans on Facebook and Twitter. Temporary because they're watching to see the reaction.
Turkey's Minister of Communications said that "Social Media can cause good things to happen" but went on to say "but it could be also used to provoke great masses and provoke them". Of course it could. Let's not provoke and misguide the masses.
So these two great bastions of democracy, have decided that a ban on the freedoms of their citizens is the way to protect them.
India's ban prompted the misguided masses to revolt, leading to some restoration of service. Turkey's constant battle with the PPK, was one reason given for their ban, that seemingly Social Media "exaggerated PPK claims of military success". Those PPK chancers.
Of course both countries have shamefully poor records on human rights anyway, with Turkey, a Muslim state, getting the most flak. You'll know of some of their abuses with The Kurds and indeed, clean-up attempts as part of a process to join the EU. They have already been fined this year by The European Court of Human Rights for breaches of, human rights. In the ECHR annual report, it ranked Turkey number one abuser of rights from a list of 47 countries who signed the European Convention on Human Rights.
Only this week, there have been calls for India to abide by the UN resolution to repeal their 'Armed Forces Special Powers Act' which goes without the need for explanation. They have a history of execution and an army of "disappeared".
Their bans on Social Media is further proof of their desire to stifle protest and objection. It will also bring the concept to other states such as Iran, that great beacon of tolerance, whom undoubtedly will want to follow suit.
It is a measure of their oppression and one which we should all be aware of. We should tweet it, post it, blog it because at least, they can be embarrased by it and possibly, recant.
Unlikely perhaps but it's owed to the citizens of India and Turkey who wish to remain online and share their lives. At least you know about it now. And at least, you can tell someone else.
Social Media is a danger.
It can bring down a regime.
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