At a time when Internet users know how to use security tools like VPNs and the Tor browser to bypass censorship, banning a news site could end up producing opposite results: the censored platforms could even gain more popularity as a result.
This seems to be happening now in Turkey. Following news that German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) was blocked by Turkish authorities on June 30 due to licensing issues, search for the site skyrocketed among citizens.
"DW will probably be more popular now than it was before the lockdown, which is easy to get around," DW internet freedom specialist Oliver Linow tweeted.
Those who didn't know @DeutscheWelle in #Turkey before can now. On June 30, Turkey blocked the DW website. Google search queries in Turkey increased sharply immediately. DW will probably be more popular now than it was before the shutdown, which is easy to circumvent. pic.twitter.com/TSsh6NI4UrJuly 2, 2022
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However, DW was not the only victim of the Supreme Radio and Television Council (RTÜK), the government's telecommunications regulator. Voice of America (VOA), the outlet of the US Global Media Agency, was also censored for failing to meet the new broadcast requirements.
VOA acting director Yolanda López expressed her opposition to RTÜK's efforts to "censor unfavorable media coverage". At the same time, she told readers that "through circumvention tools and other means, VOA will not be deterred."
Why is Turkey censoring the news site?
In an official statement (opens in a new tab), the Turkish regulator explained that the law required the blocking of DW and VOA because they had not applied for the necessary broadcaster license. In February, DW and VOA were effectively ordered to comply with the obligation to continue operating in the country.
Although RTÜK claims to be “in favor of pluralism, freedom of the press and free media information”, international media have expressed concern about press freedom in the country.
In Turkey, 90% of the national media is now under government control, according to Reporters Without Borders (opens in a new tab).
DW CEO Peter Limbourg said he decided not to comply out of fear that such a license would allow the Turkish government to censor (opens in a new tab) his content.
"Licensed media in Turkey are obliged to remove online content that RTUK interprets as inappropriate. This is simply unacceptable for an independent broadcaster," he said, claiming that DW will now sue for legal action against the blocking.
In addition, the coordinator of the Europe and Central Asia program of the Committee to Protect Journalists, Gulnoza Said, condemned the move (opens in a new tab) and urged the media watchdog to reverse the ban. "The Turkish authorities' censorship of international broadcasters Voice of America and Deutsche Welle is the latest attempt to silence critical media as the country prepares for next year's elections," he said.
How a VPN can help
Using one of the best VPN services can allow users to easily access censored sites. How? A VPN is a security tool that hides your real IP address, while protecting your data in transit within an encrypted tunnel.
Turks will be able to trick their ISP into thinking they are in a completely different place to browse all the banned sites and protect their online activities.
With over 245 websites blocked between 000 and 2014 alone, a law regulating social media platforms, and the controversial disinformation bill on the way, people living or just visiting the Anatolian Peninsula might consider a good VPN Turkish to escape strict censorship and invasive surveillance. the practices.
When it comes to choosing the best service, be sure to look for strong encryption, additional security features, and reliable geo-blocking capabilities. Our #1 recommendation is ExpressVPN, which you can try risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
