Don't suppose anyone cares, but did you know that the Thai government has blocked YouTube? We're not allowed to see it.
No YouTube
That's interesting. I was in Hong Kong recently and I went to a talk by a guy called Isaac Mao about censorship in China, a big problem over there. He is trying encourage grass roots media through blogging. The basic principle is that everyone in China has their own blogs (something which people over there are increasingly getting into) then the government won't be able to stop the flow of information.
His website is http://www.isaacmao.com/meta/
What was the trip for Tom, biz or t'other? Sounds interesting. You politically minded?
I have a friend who is doing a semester at Hong Kong U. It was purely for pleasure and because I could get really cheap flights and accommodation.
Im currently doing International History and Politics at Sheffield Slag so yeah fairly political. But I'm not the kind of politically active student stereotype that is often thought of. I have issues with the 'political student' bandwagon...But that in itself is politics 
Always enjoy a good debate of a political issue or a respectful clash of opinion!
Great stuff.
Me? I'm a secret left-winger hiding in a M-O-R husk. I dislike the gradual pervasion of public into private and the skillful maintaining of the illusion of democracy while our freedoms are being eroded.
I'm an activist in that while I campaign through Amnesty, Jubilee 2000, Poverty History, i also write about political issues in my less comedy based pieces (altho politics and comedy do make good companions)
Recently read 1984 and was struck with so many actual similarities with the book and the modern scenario.
You've could've called this - NoTube! So it's not great, but still what a wasted opportunity.
The Chinese and Thias have a problem with access of information. You can't have debate if you deprive the other side a voice. But hopefully the internet is able to 'flow' around barriers placed in its path.
Is the ban effective in these countries, btw?
Quote: Tom Pk @ April 20, 2007, 5:12 PMI have issues with the 'political student' bandwagon...
Ditto. I blame the NUS. Bunch of dirty liberals! Pah!
Lol well I myself find myself to be quite capitalist, despite my current student lifestyle. I tend to feel that these huge companies became so big because we kept giving them our custom and so we have little to complain about. However, that's a very black and white and simplistic thought and my political stance goes much further, just it's ten to two now so....
As for your question Slag, I cant say much about either. I don't know anything about Thailand but if it is anything like China I would say it is pretty effective. The Chinese government have control over pretty much every form of media including newspapers so I would say it has quite a good hold. But to be honest I'm not one to comment, I can only tell you what my friend told me, and he's no expert.
Hong Kong is actually nothing like China when it comes to standard of living and freedom of speech. There are no censorship issues in Hong Kong because whilst it is officially under the Chinese government it tends to be run by its own administration. That's all I know without doing more research I'm afraid.
They banned YouTube in Turkey because it had a video claiming Attaturk was gay, and they're on the verge on joining the EU. Governments who don't support Human Rights should be, what's a good word which won't get me deported, reformed.
I'm into politics but I don't tell anyone because they tend not to talk to me. I'm a sort of Liberal Socialist and am forced to vote Liberal Dems to stop the c*ntservatives getting in. I don't like Liberal Dems but hate Tories so its a Catch 22 situation. Would rather vote Labour. If I had any money I would suport organisations like Amnesty, they are one of the most important NGOs on the planet.
Surely, if you would rather vote Labour then you should do, as they have the greatest chance of stopping the Conservatives getting in (if that's one of your reasons to vote). Unless I have misunderstood you.
Quote: ajp29 @ April 21, 2007, 2:21 AMI'm a sort of Liberal Socialist and am forced to vote Liberal Dems to stop the c*ntservatives getting in. I don't like Liberal Dems but hate Tories so its a Catch 22 situation.
Why, praytell?
Watch your step...
Cause its first part the post and Labour get something like 3,000 votes I have to vote liberal who get around 20,000 to dtop conservatives who get aroung 20,000.
Oh are you talking local elections here?
No, have you voted in a general before? Its first past the post which means the person with the most votes gets a seat in the House of Commons and the other votes don't go toward anything. Euros and locals are different so i vote for the Greens. And if anyone says that the Tories are going green i'll go Lee Harvey Oswald on your ass. This is why I don't talk about politics it gets me angry. Good for stand up but not good for a friendly forum.