US company blocks Pakistani news portal
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 19 September 2012
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A US-based hosting company has blocked the news portal www.markthetruth.com for alleged policy violations. The editor claims this action infringes on freedom of expression and human rights.Summary
ISLAMABAD: An American hosting company has blocked a Pakistan-based news portal reportedly for violation of their policies.
Ch. Sajjad Ahmad, editor of the portal www.markthetruth.com told JournalismPakistan.com Wednesday the company claimed its abuse policy was violated and more server resources used than permitted.
Sajjad said the hosts had denied access to data and files preventing him to have the portal hosted elsewhere.
“Blocking www.markthetruth.com is a clear violation of human rights; it is also against the principal of freedom of speech. One can kill someone, but one can’t kill the voice of everyone,” he said.
“It is a drone attack on the Pakistani media. The purpose is clear and understandable. Buy them or kill them. So they have killed us.
“We focused on US terrorism all over the world, especially in Pakistan and Afghanistan; we aimed to free our Kashmiri brothers and sisters from Indian slavery and sympathized with Palestinians against Israeli terrorism.”
He said Washington did not welcome their policies and therefore the portal was shut down.
Sajjad did not name the hosting company.
KEY POINTS:
- American company blocks a Pakistan-based news portal.
- Editor claims violation of freedom of speech and human rights.
- Portal focused on US actions in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
- Access to data denied, preventing relocation of the site.
- Editor alleges a broader agenda against the Pakistani media.
