YouTube!

By Nermeen Kamel
JRMC 270 (Online Communication)
Dr. Rasha A. Abdulla
The American University in Cairo
Journalism and Mass Communication Department
Fall 2008



YouTube is a website that enables people to upload, share, comment on and view videos. Although, it has been created only three years ago, it has a quite impressive impact on people and it had spread among them really fast. YouTube gives the chance for only registered members to upload as many videos as they want on the website, however, unregistered members are able to view videos and comment on them but not to upload any.

Because YouTube gives people the oppurtunity to upload whatever videos they want on any subject, some countries chose to block the access to it. Like Turkey for example. Such countries beleive that there are videos which criticize the governement harshly, insult public figures, and people just should not be allowed to view these videos that easily so they blocked Youtube. Also, other countries such as China, Iran and Morocco block Youtube for the controvery around it and the problems it creates.

Before YouTube was created, uploading videos was not as easy for normal computer users. However, now through YouTube with its easy to use interface, it is possible for anyone to upload videos that million of people around the world could watch within few minutes.

One of the recent very controversial videos uploaded on YouTube now is the one of George Bush being thrown at by a shoe! The incident itself shocked the world and it was in the news everywhere. However, anyone who didnt see this moment on the news on TV would automatically log onto Youtube to see the video there. Therefore, YouTube made it very easy for people to watch anything they have missed in the news and have easier access to it. The good thing is, you can see the video as many times as want too and maybe save it in your computer as well.

Also, the comments part on the videos is very important. You get to see what do people think of the videos, their opinions and so on, but sometmes people use very bad language in commenting over a video or stating their opinions which is a disadvantage of youtube. Like the comments of the Bush video, almost all the commentors considered the Iraqi reporter who threw the shoe a hero and started insulting George Bush and reflect their hatred to him.