Turkey lifts ban on Twitter after it removes photos of slain prosecutor

Turkey decided in April 2015 to block access to Twitter, Facebook and Youtube, over the publication of images of a Turkish prosecutor killed by leftist militants during a hostage standoff in Istambul.

The authorities set a deadline of four hours for Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to remove the offending content. Facebook was the only one to initially accept the request, with Twitter also removing the content later on. While negotiations with Youtube continued, restrictions were lifted for the other two websites. Twitter announced it would take the case into court.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Turkey's Twitter ban meets immediate EU criticism http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkeys-twitter-ban-meets-immediate-eu-criticism/

ESO: Background information: Turkey moves to block YouTube http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkey-moves-to-block-youtube/

The Guardian, 06.04.15: Turkey bans Twitter in bid to block 'propaganda' pictures of kidnapping http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/06/briton-suspects-turkish-militant-raid-hostage

BBC News, 06.04.15: Turkey Twitter block lifted after image removed http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-32194915

The Wall Street Journal, 06.04.15: Turkey Briefly Blocks YouTube, Twitter Access and Threatens Google Ban http://www.wsj.com/articles/turkish-court-bans-access-to-internet-sites-over-hostage-crisis-content-1428325451

The New York Times, 06.04.15: Turkey Blocks YouTube and, Briefly, Twitter Over Hostage Photo http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/07/world/europe/turkey-blocks-twitter-youtube-and-sites-that-published-hostage-photo.html

BBC News, 07.04.15: Turkey social media ban raises censorship fears http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32204177

Today's Zaman, 07.04.15: Twitter, Facebook vow to challenge Turkey over social media ban http://www.todayszaman.com/national_twitter-facebook-vow-to-challenge-turkey-over-social-media-ban_377342.html

Today's Zaman, 07.04.15: UN highlights importance of free access to news after Turkey’s Twitter ban http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_un-highlights-importance-of-free-access-to-news-after-turkeys-twitter-ban_377314.html

---