Why a ban on porn sites is futile
Let’s address the most basic problem first. The reason why a ban on porn can never work is because of a simple economic principle — where there is demand, there will be supply, and the demand is going nowhere. Those who want to see porn online will do so. Their options are unlimited. For every 13,000 porn sites the Pakistan government blocks, there are over 327 million other pages to browse as porn accounts for 12 per cent of all online visits and 35 per cent of all downloads worldwide. If the PTA somehow convinced our local ISPs to block all 327 million pages of porn, the filtering system would strangle all internet in Pakistan, not to mention, by the time such action was taken, there would probably be a million new porn sites out there. Let’s also not forget that proxy servers (sites that change your IP to different locations) make all 13,000 blocked sites available. How easy is it to use a proxy? About a single Google search or browser extension away, rendering the whole blocking exercise (not to mention its cost) redundant. It is unfortunate that our esteemed judiciary and government servants are so technologically challenged that they probably cannot understand this basic problem even if it is written for them on paper.
Next is the more troubling ‘saying yes to banning porn is saying yes to state oppression’. Banning porn is a slippery slope to say the least. This government is already known to block websites in the name of such open ended phrases as ‘national interest’ so do we really want to give them allowance to censor us further with the (mis)use of the words ‘obscenity’ and ‘pornography’? Who gets to define what is obscene and what is pornography? Is Titian’s Venus of Urbino pornography? And if so, should we block Wikipedia and ban all import of Encarta Encyclopedia CDs, as that is where I first saw this masterpiece at age 14? What is obscene? Is Sex and the City obscene? It may be to our rabid mullah folk, and since they have the upper hand in this country devastated by politicized religion, can we expect a ban on YouTube in any number of very real dystopian future scenarios? Most certainly, such oppression is just a step away from banning porn.
This brings us to the most worrying and saddening aspect of the decision to block porn — that of the floundering, decaying, most pathetic creature that has become our national identity. What does this attempt to ban and block porn say about us? Does it suggest that we are stupid and ignorant? Does it suggest that we are infantile, delusional and very naïve; given that we do not even see that the issue is not the availability of porn online, but the demand that exists for it? Yes, it does. Does it suggest that we are unabashedly willing to stab ourselves in the foot again and again?
It seems that way, given that we have not learnt anything about how our government and courts may ban anything unannounced, indefinitely, from Baloch news sites to Rolling Stone magazine to SMSs about finger food and athletes foot. This to me is the most tragic aspect of the ongoing ban and blockage of porn: the fact that is speaks of a nation that is moving backwards; immature and proud of it to boot. It is a dangerous state to be in, and one any sane person should fight against.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2012.
COMMENTS (45)
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pron and pop-corn can never be banned
@Javed Butt. ''PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY CAN’T EVEN AFFORD COMPUTERS OR READ FOR GODS SAKE. WHO THE HELL CARES ABOUT SOMETHING THIS STUPID?'' You do. why else would you so enthusiastically comment?
@Hamo Until that happens, be content. Stop using this page as an outlet to vent against 'moral policing' because that's what governments are entitled to. The state is justified in using its coercive power to uphold and enforce a community's moral convictions and to prevent citizens from engaging in activities that offend prevailing community standards of morality and decency.Governments also have a responsibility to prevent citizens from harming themselves.The state is also entitled to interfere with the freedom of mentally competent adults against their will for their own good.
Another problem that the author didnt mention is that when PTA blocks enough nodes, it slows down the internet overall. That in my business means lost productivity. Not only do I pay around a quarter of my income in taxes (yes I am one of the 480,000 individuals who pay taxes and my company is one of the 20,000 that paid taxes last year), I now have diminished income because we cant find competent bureaucrats for PTA or thinking judges for Lahore High Court
it will results in less addicts and week in my knees awam. Make it harder to access surely results in dumb Munna playing outside with beautiful birds rather studying in locked room for hours.
@Noman: a) I'm saving my vote for someone deserving so no I didnot vote for this government and b) Electing a government doesnot mean we have given them the right to invade our personal space so I stand by my words the government should poke its nose where it really is needed and not in peoples bedrooms!
@ned: you should blog this
@Mani: maybe you could learn how to set up parental countries and watch your child rather than waste government resources on such a wide oppressive policy?
@Pinky: Now they'll just learn to use proxy at an earlier age. When there's a will, there's a way, and its all just google away :P
The biggest problem with censorship is * * * * * * *.
@Osama why dont you go to that country where everthjing is free and according to your taste also. no one will bother you even not your parents, but why those country also do not allow to live nacked like animal. very backward countries, they should not stop peoples to move undressed. Why dont we raise our voice to create a country like that, one can live with his own wishes. What do you think?
Is there something we can do about this? or anything for that matter? Can you people please put forward some solutions?
Funnily enough I have found new websites after this restriction as applied. I have found BETTER websites. Thankyou PTCL, you made me work harder on finding nice stuff.
Bravo; Jahanzaib Haque, on an article well written, along with the bravery of being one of the very few men out there who'd even think, let alone execute such a 'taboo' topic especially within Pakistan.
You do make several valid points, most of which inter relate among themselves or go on to branch out to other factors that may be effected should such a predicament befall the state.
In addition to all that has already been pointed out, the need to say 'no' is most vital above all things and which most often is not completely practiced by people who have time to point out errors and faults of others but who haven't the time to hold their hand up to say 'no' to any element that may nurse injury or cause damage, thus preventing what the world believes of Pakistan as becoming if not being a progressive state.
As citizens, let's say 'no' to all elements that may hold us back, preventing progress, success, education and most of all freedom of expression.
@Admin: Stop worrying about bigger problem or smaller problems! Middle eastern countries are doing it so why cant Pakistan????
ET why hasn't Ned's long comment been approved? How exactly has it violated community guidelines? Or is tribune now going to silence radical feminist discourse and critiques? Trolls are allowed to spew venom but feminists can't give valid feedback?
Feel like saying "mufti sb, yeh kya baat hui?" to you guys.
Various "relatively" open countries, like UAE and Turkey, does have effective restriction in-place. The argument that it would not work may not be entirely correct. Of course there are always bypasses. However, placing such restrictions would, at least, restrict unabated and "accidental" access to such sites, especially for immature minds. In my opinion, a meaningful restriction, such as the ones placed in UAE and Turkey, should be implemented and then let the enthusiasts explore the possibilities to make their own ways. This is not a violation of principles of "Free Will". Isn't it?
@Wasim: "If UAE can block all websites of this type, why Pakistan cannot. Why it is ban in UAE, China, Malaysia and many other countries???"
If North Korea can ban the whole internet, why can't Pakistan?
Please ban adulterated and counterfeit medicines which are openly sold in Pakistan, also thousands of quakes who are making huge money so the patients go to poorly paid young doctors.
Curiosity provoked when you try to hide something. I assume that the author try to indicate, when you are trying to block few category of sties which are multiplying, due process it may end up in affecting the normal internet traffic and difficulty for regular internet users, might be too technical for some readers, author could have simplified it by elaborating little bit.
As expected, this article becomes one of ETs more hotly commented on pieces. Since this is one of the most important issues in the eyes of the Pakistani nation online. Our obsession with controversy and moral policing matters lives on.
If UAE can block all websites of this type, why Pakistan cannot. Why it is ban in UAE, China, Malaysia and many other countries???
Our religion bind us to stop nonsense and anything against our religion by force or otherwise. This is the responsibility put on us through Quran with crystal clear instructions. We should be fully aware of our responsibilities to save our culture and ethics and to save our next generation.
@ned:
what rape? those women have consent. they only become an underclass if you turn them into one. you're creating a strawman because you have no solid argument of your own.if you read what usman said, you'll see that what he was really saying is that is pointless to legislate moral vices and that it takes government attention away from more important issues. all the bans in the world won't change human nature.
We don't have proper schools or hospitals in this country and living standards are terrible but the government would rather focus on trivial garbage like this rather than more important issues. i'm an adult and i don't need the government to treat me like a child. Why more people aren't saying this is beyond me. I would rather the government take steps to battle hate speech against non-muslims and minorities (Something far more harmful for impressionable children). Am i wrong?
There is a simple solution.Just ban computers.After all there were no computers 1400 years ago and that was not a hindrance for god to deliver his message to the choosen one.
@ all the so called liberal peeps out there!! When Iran bans these websites you guys jump up and down happy and when pakistani govt bans this you go against them... 2 faced disease you people have!! Anything the Govt. does you go against it!!
PS. You guys elected this PPP govt and Mr Zordari so now deal with it!!
ET -- I hope you're planning on publishing my longer comment. You'll be hearing from me if you don't. I think I raised some important issues in it. If the comment needs some editing/adjusting, let me know.
@ned
I don't need taliban PTA to stop me from watching what I watch. It is none of your business.
You can always lend a DVD or CD from corner video shop:P
@Pinky
it's not govt's job to babysit your children, it is your job as a parent to protect your children from harm. And frankly a babysitter will charge your money by an hour, r u going to pay gov't for this which relies heavily on American aid.
@Muhammed Usama Aziz: people are intelligent enough to decide for themselves. they don't need someone bullying them to act in their own best interest. it's a waste of government time and resources considering the numerous more important issues in pakistan today.
Good article. The less restrictions put on society the better it is for the healthy growth of that society. Awareness levels and education must improve, restrictions never was and never will be the answer.
Going by your logic, we should also not ban drugs, cigarettes. Let the people decide whether they want it or not!! Societies get destroyed when in the name of freedom, these things are allowed.
Can someone explain the intelligence in blocking www.freedownloadmanager.org ?
@Pinky: there's a thing called Google that'll instantly tell those "really young kids" what proxies are and how to use them. Plus, it is futile. Rape/molestation/harassment rates really will skyrocket; It's really textbook psychology to predict it. Pakistan is really digging a grave for itself. :(
oh come on! its not totally an exercise in futility...at least the really young kids (who are not aware of the proxy servers) can be shielded...
and just because demand can not be lowered doesnt mean that supply shouldnt be curtailed..go ask anti-narcotics ppl :)
They'll realize their folly when incidents of rape sky rocket! Wait, no, they'll just ban that too since a ban is supposed to solve everything.