Freedom Of Speech And The Internet

This week has seen the strain between the freedom of speech and the internet.

You tube and the "Innocence of Muslims" film

Google the owners of YouTube rejected a request from the White House to remove the film "Innocence of Muslims" from its website. The film which has caused wide spread anger around the Muslim world can be viewed on YouTube amongst other sites. Google have agreed to block the film in countries where it is illegal includingLibya,Egypt,Indonesia,India andSaudi Arabia.

A YouTube representative told the BBC: "We work hard to create a community everyone can enjoy and which also enables people to express different opinions. This can be a challenge because what's OK in one country can be offensive elsewhere."

"This video - which is widely available on the web - is clearly within our guidelines and so will stay on YouTube."

Google's guidelines on the issue provide "At Google we have a bias in favour of people's right to free expression in everything we do. We are driven by a belief that more information generally means more choice, more freedom and ultimately more power for the individual. But we also recognise that freedom of expression can't be — and shouldn't be — without some limits."

Offensive tweet and Daley

The director of public prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC has announced that new social media rules on abuse are to be issued, after Team GB diver Tom Daley received an offensive Twitter message from footballer Daniel Thomas.

Mr Thomas was arrested and released without charge after a homophobic message...