*http://www.pakportals.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10&p=11
In May, YouTube and Facebook were blocked for hosting ‘blasphemous’ and ‘offensive’ content. It is now July, and Tere bin Laden seems fated to be next in the firing line. — Photo by AFP
**No space to counter hate
By Huma Yusuf
Sunday, 18 Jul, 2010**
Like most Ali Zafar fans, I hope that members of our culture ministry and Central Board of Film Censors spend the weekend remembering that Pakistanis have a highly developed sense of humour (consider, for instance, how they are ever willing to laugh off the antics of our parliamentarians).
If it is upheld, the government’s decision to ban screenings of Tere binLaden will be the latest in a series of terrible ideas pertaining to the Pakistani media landscape.
Censors have argued that the film could offend Muslims, make Osama bin Laden seem “ridiculous”, and stir the wrath of violent extremists. None of these estimations, however, are compelling enough to justify censorship. May I remind our authorities that it is not their place to decide what Pakistani audiences may find offensive, but that they are responsible for ensuring security at public venues such as cinemas?
Much has already been written about our government’s increased willingness to censor content on a flimsy pretext. In March, the culture ministry banned Ajoka Theatre’s satirical production, Burqavaganza, on the basis that it “pollutes young minds”. In May, YouTube and Facebook were blocked for hosting ‘blasphemous’ and ‘offensive’ content. It is now July, and Tere bin Laden seems fated to be next in the firing line.
**Huma Yusuf ***
“Like most Ali Zafar fans, I hope that members of our culture ministry and Central Board of Film Censors spend the weekend remembering that Pakistanis have a highly developed sense of humour (consider, for instance, how they are ever willing to laugh off the antics of our parliamentarians).”
**My comments:
**
It is highly imperative for Pakistan to look at aggregate of all past Pakistani experiences with India ----- Sharp projection of Indian motives, their (India’s) collective hidden political agenda against Pakistan spanning over more than sixty years and especially their subterfuge after September 11, 2001 which was aggressively put forward to conceal true purpose and objective of this terrorism chorus. After September 11, India astutely embarked on the bandwagon of mostly false propaganda against Islam and Pakistan to achieve its political goals in Asia and to promote its image around the world as a victim of all times these so called movies and comedy shows that were banned by Pakistan are part of slow but gradual Indian conspiracy against Pakistan therefore this Indian filth must not only be outlawed in Pakistan but, also those Pakistanis who facilitated in creation of these so called comedies must be dealt with an iron hand as prescribed by the law of the land.
**How can faithful Pakistanis in their right minds facilitate India with its never ending propaganda against Pakistan?
**
Huma Yusuf
“It is clear that these bans constitute gross violations of Pakistanis’ freedom of expression. Seen in the broader context of the government’s recent announcement of a new code of conduct for the media, the bans begin to highlight a troubling trend: space for thoughtful, informed and productive debates about extremism and terrorism in Pakistan is shrinking. While our government encourages dialogue with terrorists at the proverbial negotiating table, it seems hell-bent on stifling any dialogue about terrorists in the public sphere.”
**My comments:
**
There is a fine line here which obviously author has failed to acknowledge ----- there must be a firm and illustrious difference between hummer and blasphemy and impious utterance concerning religious beliefs, wouldn’t be so called “Freedom of Speech” considered conspicuously Anti-Semitic and Anti-Zion if a Muslim speaks out against Judaism and Zionism? ----- perhaps it would be considered a global hot-button political issue.
If there exists ----- for any one and every one across the board ----- such “Freedom of Speech” ----- then why was Senior Editor of Mideast Affairs Octavia Nasr fired by CNN after her Tweet in praise of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah? ----- **You be the judge!
**
Dear Mods I would like to request a poll.
(Not very good)
