Twitter is already a fairly inhospitable place for opponents of jihad. I know several whose accounts have been suspended solely for expressing, in civil terms, their distaste for jihad terror and Islamic supremacism, while there are several stalkers devoted full-time to defaming freedom fighters and even accusing them outright of having committed crimes, and despite repeated complaints, Twitter takes no action.
Now Twitter moves toward even more open compliance with Sharia. How long before they block “blasphemous” content not just in Pakistan, but everywhere that the foes of the freedom of speech profess to be offended by the truth about jihad?
“Twitter Blocks ‘Blasphemous’ Content in Pakistan After Complaints,” Agence France-Presse, May 23, 2014:
Islamabad: Microblogging site Twitter has blocked dozens of tweets and accounts in Pakistan after officials asked for access to “blasphemous” and “unethical” content to be stopped.
The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) submitted at least five requests from May 5 to 14 asking Twitter to block access to specific tweets and accounts for users in the Islamic republic.
It is thought to be the first time Twitter has withheld content specifically for users in Pakistan, though the government has shut the site down in the past.
Most of the offending material concerned anti-Islam accounts and an annual online competition to draw caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed, but the accounts of three US porn stars were also listed.
Religion in Pakistan, where 97 percent of the population are Muslims, is extremely sensitive and images of the prophet, which are forbidden in Islam, cause grave offence.
Pakistan blocked Twitter completely for a brief period in May 2012, along with Facebook, over the same competition.
But according to the website Chilling Effects Clearinghouse the latest episode is the first time Twitter has agreed to withhold content for users in Pakistan.
Chilling Effects is a collaboration between several US law schools which monitors attempts to suppress online content. Twitter works in partnership with the site to publish requests to withhold its content.
Attempts by AFP in Islamabad to access the material in question were met with messages saying the content was withheld in Pakistan.
In its requests to Twitter, PTA described the content, which also included images of the Koran being desecrated, as “blasphemous” and “unethical” and said it violated the Pakistani penal code.
A PTA official said they regularly write to Twitter and Facebook asking them to remove objectionable content.
“We had requested Twitter to remove the unethical and blasphemous tweets and searches and it is good that they have taken action,” the official told AFP.
Perceived insults to Islam and the prophet can provoke violent public reactions in Pakistan.
The country’s strict blasphemy laws, currently the subject of a fight pitching the authorities against some of the leading TV stations, can carry the death penalty.
A crude anti-Islam film posted to YouTube in 2012 triggered violent street protests in Pakistan that left more than 20 people dead and led the government to block the video-sharing site — a ban that remains in force.
Pakistan’s parliament on May 6 voted unanimously to lift a ban on YouTube, in a non-binding resolution that was nonetheless welcomed by free speech campaigners as an important symbolic move.
Twitter did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.
mariam rove says
Here we go…now twitter is caving in… Although the Saudi Billinor has a major stake in tweeter
Walter Sieruk says
Since Twitter now blocks things that are deemed “blasphemous” to Islam is still further proof that the foundations and doctrines of Islam are so weak that this religion can’t stand up or hold up to criticism.
Tradewinds says
I’ve never used Twitter and never will. You hear that, ya Twits? Oh and btw – ISLAM SUCKS!
john spielman says
if the Obamanation (which sits in the oval office) were to hand over control of the internet to these people -ie the UN, the lights of freedom and truth will be snuffed out all over the world.
Islam is itself deep darkness, personified in the demonic religion of Muhammed because neither Satan nor his spawn, the Islamists, can tolerate the TRUTH
Charli Main says
They can´t tolerate the truth about their filthy perverted religion because the TRUTH HURTS.
john spielman says
but also as Jesus said “the Truth will set you free!”
jewdog says
The same people who insist on no trade with countries that abuse worker rights and the environment are probably first in line to endorse free-speech restrictions so as not to offend sensitive Muslims. Extending Western values when it comes to freedom doesn’t rate with such hypocrites.
Peter says
When Twitter is completely Sharia compliant, you can clip the wings, too, and its logo will look like a … crescent moon! Then all it needs is a green background and a name change to “Shutter.”
Annette says
This is what were headind for, and this administration is turning OUR GOVERNMENT into.