In an Orwellian twist that foreshadows things to come, YouTube has begun complying with requests by world governments to remove videos that depict civil unrest and citizens asserting their civil rights. The company is also deleting search terms relevant to such events, a sign that Western governments have begun to tighten the reins on free speech in the same manner in which the Soviet Union once did and Communist China still does.
The most recent example is of a video that shows a group of British citizens attempting to make a citizen's arrest of a judge for actions they deemed were illegal. Instead, the members of the group, British Constitution Group, were arrested on March 7th. They were protesting a council tax ruling by Judge Michael Peake. The video is censored in the United Kingdom, but is still viewable in the United States.
YouTube, which is owned by Google, has been bending over a lot to go along with these requests, that are coming mainly from--you guessed it--the United States and the United Kingdom. Wait a minute? What happened to the First Amendment in the U.S.? Apparently, it doesn't exist on the internet, because the government is slowly eroding access to what we can and cannot see.
Between July 1 and Dec. 31 (2009), according to PC World, "Google received 3,580 requests for user data from U.S. government agencies, slightly less than the 3,663 originating from Brazil. The United Kingdom and India sent more than 1,000 requests each, and smaller numbers originated from various other countries."
What this means is that unless we, the people, stand up and protest, we will no longer have the right to view them online. 
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
Comments: 44
It seems as if the desire to squelch free speech is alive and well in all sectors of government and population. I agree we need to step up and stand up soon ... if we are going to save any vestige of it for all concerned.
Have you seen this somewhat related article (although on a more specific level) by another Gather member?
But ... it's the same thing ... something we should allll be worried about. +sigh+
I wonder if said writer will even respond, though. I've seen some skywriters completely ignore comments.
We are very privileged in this country to have free speech, but it is not unfettered. Speech may be restricted if there is a compelling state interest (e.g., yelling fire in crowded theater, slander, false statements, etc.).
Unless, and until, those countries change their own laws to permit and protect free speech as we do in the US, I really don't think we in the US have any right to impose our view of freedom of speech to other countries.
Just a Thought
Looks like those who could careless about the Constitution and use to pick fun of the Constitution wow looks like some out there in the world are seeing the light, because Obama boy is reaching out and touching everyone in some form or other healthcare, welfare, helping to start more wars, raising taxes when he swore he wouldn't . Commits treason today with Libya, the list goes on, and on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4SKL7f9n58
This is only the beg. of our freedom being stripped from us.
SURPRISE!