YouTube ban

While PTA has said it will not lift the ban till video is removed from YouTube, a solution needs to be worked out.


Editorial October 04, 2012

The blockade of the popular video-sharing website, YouTube, which was shut down on September 17 to prevent access to the blasphemous video, has now entered its third week. Given the violence seen in the country over the derogatory video, the government’s orders, imposed through the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA), are not impossible to understand. But with PTA officials quoted as saying that the ban could last indefinitely, the situation perhaps, needs to be reviewed. Beyond providing entertainment, YouTube is also widely used for educational and communication purposes. The lack of access to it affects many, with the clumsy  ‘wall’ put up by the PTA also disrupting Android mobile phone services run by Google.

Despite talks held between Google and the government, the former has reportedly declined to block the offending video in Pakistan, since there is no agreement that could facilitate such an action. The video has been removed from public viewing domains in a host of other countries, including Egypt, India, Libya, Malaysia and Indonesia, with whom Google has agreements. Countries where major Google operation centres are based have also been granted a blockade when requested. Despite the absence of the required agreement with Google, its tough line with Pakistan still seems harsh given the obviously objectionable content of the video. Both sides have locked horns and a deadlock persists.

While the PTA has said it will not lift the ban till the video is removed from the website, a solution needs to be worked out. Right now, discs loaded with software to run proxy servers are selling like the proverbial hotcakes across cities. Others have, of course, downloaded and initiated their own programmes such as proxies and so on. The PTA, then, needs to consider what good is being achieved through the ban and reach a decision keeping this in view, while working out an arrangement for a deal with Google to prevent the repetition of a similar sequence of events at any time in the future.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 5th, 2012.

COMMENTS (20)

Adnan | 11 years ago | Reply

Yeah it's not important to lift ban on YouTube but it's very important to banned all Google services in Pakistan. I don't know why people feeling bored without YouTube. YouTube is nothing but just an dirty insect. And if we people talk about videos and educational material thn all this stuff availabl on torrent sites for free so please don't post such type of messages that shows "youtube is our weakness" no it is not. Our love for our Prophet is more than anyone and any thing. If our government even think to lift banned on YouTube I just call them looser. Please don't lift banned on YouTube until they don't agree to delete that videos on their site. Infect I'll suggest to ban all Google services in Pakistan except their Smartphones

Aliya | 11 years ago | Reply

I think its not important to unban youtube. you can use other sites as well in order to gain learning material etc. Most of the guys are feeling bored thats why ther are stressing to open it. Even if we can access it using proxies but i think v shouldnt use it as if movie trailer is still there. why they cant just remove that trailer in order to get the billion user back to website. they have some reasons behind and believe me no especial knowledge v r missing by not using you tube. every important topic has alternate video links only v have to search some more minutes. So i m still on point to "Not Unban youtube until they remove the movie" and if they dont then okay v can makeup things without you tube.

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