Not so defiant

IN Media Watch Briefs | 18/06/2012

Google removed 640 YouTube videos in the second half of 2011 on the request of UK’s police, according to its latest revelations  in its transparency report. While Google tries to make itself look as defiant as possible vis-a-vis requests for removals from government authorities, it has in fact actually removed hundreds of videos such as the 100 YouTube videos in Thailand allegedly insulting its monarchy and other videos on the request of diffeat the behest of  US law enforcement agencies. Some requests were denied such as the six YouTube videos that ‘mock’ Pakistan’s army and senior politicians. But overall Google said that it has complied with 68% of the orders. (BBC)

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The new term for self censorship is voluntary censorship, as proposed by companies like Netflix and Hotstar. ET reports that streaming video service Amazon Prime is opposing a move by its peers to adopt a voluntary censorship code in anticipation of the Indian government coming up with its own rules. Amazon is resisting because it fears that it may alienate paying subscribers.                   

Clearly, the run to the 2019 elections is on. A journalist received a call from someone saying they were from Aajtak channel and were conducting a survey, asking whom she was going to vote for in 2019. On being told that her vote was secret, the caller assumed she wasn't going to vote for 'Modiji'. The caller, a woman, also didn't identify herself. A month or two earlier the same journalist received a call, this time from a man, asking if she was going to vote for the BSP.                 

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