Around the globe, government authorities often use legal or technical means to censor information and communications online. The recent blocking of YouTube in China was done without notice to the public or any explanation of the legal basis for the action. Such actions are inconsistent with the rule of law and the right to freedom of expression.
The Chinese government’s statements to date have not provided an explanation of whether YouTube is officially blocked, and if so what content may have violated the law, or on whose authority the blocking was imposed.
Many blocking remedies appear to be broader than necessary to further local law and policy goals. Such overbroad actions inhibit the exercise of basic human rights to freedom of expression and access to information. Blocking not only impacts the right of people in that country to speak and access information, but also the right of the world to speak to people in the country imposing the block.
Freedom of opinion and expression is a human right and guarantor of human dignity. The right to freedom of opinion and expression includes the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
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