Cross-Country Comparison of Internet Censorship: A Literature Review

Abstract

Internet censorship is a widely studied and important field of research with implications for society, politics, and business. However, little focus has been spent on cross-country comparisons of online content control. This article aims at reducing this research gap by performing a comparative literature review of Internet censorship practices in France, Turkey, and Iran. The historic development and current status of each country is studied, focusing on censorship levels, institutional characteristics, legislative environments, and current challenges. The assessment discloses several similarities and differences across the countries and allows for the identification of five key driving forces for online content control across France, Turkey, and Iran; namely, the ruling system, institutional setup, national identity, technical ability, and political opportunity. These findings will support future research and political debate on the freedom of expression and unrestricted access to content.