Topic: Censorship of the Internet
Country: Turkey
Delegate Name: Gus Schlanbusch
School: Roeper School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Turkey position papers GLIMUN 2010 committees
The Republic of Turkey has observed that as the internet has grown in popularity, so have the far-reaching consequences of all things communicated therein. In such countries as Iran, the internet has been known to cause significant domestic problems, leading to Iran (and many other states) adopting a policy of censorship of the internet. This practice manifests itself in varying degrees, from the minor censorship of Australia to the “great firewall of China”. These controls are normally implemented to prevent either the release of internal data or the inflow of external data.
The Republic of Turkey has, to date, never censored the Turkish peoples’ use of the internet. We have no great issue with the flow of information out of, into, and around the Republic. However, this is not to say that we will never implement such practices. The Republic of Turkey has strong laws against slander of Ataturk, secularism, and the State. These laws grant our political officials the power to censor publications as they see fit. As previously stated, this has not yet reached over to the internet, but should anti-Turkish web sites crop up, we may be forced to censor. Turkey has however, used powers over the internet to control groups opposed to the Turkish state, such as Kurdistan Pasok.
Speaking broadly, the Republic of Turkey believes that the internet should remain uncensored for the use of the people. Under extreme circumstances, however, where national security is threatened, censorship may be taken into the hands of the government. We suggest such a conclusion be made in a resolution, and are ready to join other nations in bringing about such agreements.
