United States based internet giant, Google has responded to Ugandan Government’s request to have several NUP online channels blocked.
The Uganda Communication Commission, in a letter dated December 9 wrote to Google requesting it to block or delete several NUP online channels which it accused of inciting violence.
UCC alleged that the channels, which include Ghetto TV are misleading and misrepresent whatever the country is going through. They also breach the law since they’re not registered.
In an e-mail response, Google, through It’s head of communication and Public affairs for Afrca, Dorothy Ooko declined, explaining that a mere Government request is insufficient for it to act.
“It is very hard to just have a channel removed due to a government request. We always follow local law, but it would have to be a valid court order. The letters just show what the UCC submitted to the Embassy; they are not court orders,” she explained.
We review government removal requests when notified through the correct legal processes & disclose these, in keeping with our stance on transparency. In all cases, we would only restrict access to a video only after a thorough review….https://t.co/YAtfEq5kZn https://t.co/4GZuGQyMVy
— Google in Africa (@googleafrica) December 16, 2020
