14 DAY TRIAL // In a rather odd turn of events, Turkey has decided to block online encyclopedia Wikipedia. The telecommunications watchdog that issued the order cites a law that allows it to block access to websites that are considered obscene or a threat to national security. Since Wikipedia doesn't fall into the first category, it surely can fall into the second because knowledge is power.
This is a move that has rights groups worried about the direction Turkey is headed to, especially since this isn't the first time Erdogan's government has taken steps against the freedom of speech and other basic rights. Numerous journalists have been arrested for reporting what was happening in the country and others have been imprisoned for expressing negative opinions towards the country's leadership.
"After technical analysis and legal consideration [...] an administrative measure has been taken for this website (wikipedia.org)," the telecommunications watchdog says in a statement posted on its website. The commentary further cites a law that allows it to block access to web pages or entire websites if this will lead to protecting public order, national security or the well-being of the public.
Unusual blockade
The measure will have to be presented to a court within 24 hours and then the judges will take two days to decide whether to enforce it or not. Of course, given how things have gone in the past, it would be surprising if Wikipedia remains openly accessible to everyone.
The block has already been enforced, however, without waiting on the court's decision. In fact, since about 8 AM on Saturday morning, traffic throughout Turkey has dimmed towards all language editions of Wikipedia.
In the past, such measures have been taken against social media sites following social unrest and military attacks. The government has denied any such actions on several occasions, but the evidence was there.
People now have the option of using VPN tools to access the blocked site.