YouTube launch — some questions

With the PECB set to power through, the launch of YouTube should not be looked at in isolation

A democratic government makes decisions after thorough debate, with pros and cons measured out in terms of what is best for the people. Actions taken are weighed on merit and criticism is taken in its stride. This does not always happen in Pakistan. The launch of a localised version of YouTube is welcome, and much needed. After the ban on the website in September 2012, Pakistani users went from pillar to post in hopes of overturning the sanction. During this time, the launch of next-generation mobile broadband technology took place, a new telecom policy was approved and several debates have taken place on the proposed Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill (PECB). But discussions on lifting the ban on YouTube always fell on the government’s deaf ears.

Even now, with the announcement of Google — the parent company — that YouTube’s country-specific version has been launched, a statement from the government is still missing. We know how much the PML-N loves to blow the trumpet on its achievements, and this development provided it with just such an opportunity. But it doesn’t seem to have taken advantage of that, leading us to believe that there is something amiss. With the PECB set to power through despite objections raised against it, the launch of YouTube should not be looked at in isolation. YouTube was banned in Pakistan after blasphemous material made its way to the website. With its latest launch, does it mean that any inappropriate material that now appears on it would be removed? Who will determine whether something is appropriate for viewing in Pakistan or not? Will action be taken against Pakistani citizens who upload such content? If so, what law will be applied in such matters? Where does the PECB fit into the picture? Will some of its absurd clauses be applied when material on the local version of YouTube contravenes them? Will the launch of YouTube actually bring with it further complications for unsuspecting Pakistani users? The public still has questions and the government needs to answer them.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2016.

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