Erdogan hints social media websites could go dark after elections

ANKARA, Turkey, March 7 (UPI) -- Turkey's prime minister hinted Facebook and YouTube may go dark after March 30 elections to prevent what he says are the Internet's negative effects on society.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the prospect during a discussion about the country's controversial new Internet law, which has been criticized at home and abroad, Today's Zaman reported Friday.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul, however, ruled out any ban on Facebook and YouTube, saying there would be no curbs to press and speech freedoms. He said Turkey's Internet law was clear and that only the courts could shut down websites.

The Turkish government has introduced several pieces of legislation that would curb Internet and media freedoms, and subjugate the judiciary's authority to government by restructuring the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors, Today's Zaman said.