Nancy Oteifa
Al Watan staff
KUWAIT: Unconfirmed reports indicated on Monday that a decision to block the online videoÜsharing Web site YouTube has been revoked by the Ministry of Communications. According to a blogger writing under the name of ''Falantan'' who claims to work for a local Internet Service Provider (ISP), officials at the Ministry of Communications held a meeting Monday morning to discuss the issue and consequently decided to revoke the decision.
Sources stated on Sunday that a memo had been issued by the Ministry of Communications to all local ISPs ordering them to block the Web site Youtube.com.
However, speaking to Al Watan Daily, local ISP Arab Telecom denied having received any memos from the Ministry of Communication asking them to block this site. "We didn''t get any orders from the Ministry of Communication about blocking YouTube but the minute we receive the memo we will immediately block YouTube," a company representative stated.
Reports that the Web site was to be blocked generated heated reactions from many people in Kuwait, some of who stated that this is a blatant disregard of freedom of speech, while others claimed that any site that displays material that is disrespectful to Islam and the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) should rightfully be blocked.
Last updated on Tuesday 23/9/2008
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