ISLAMABAD ( BMZ REPORT )
Ministry of Information Technology has given its clarification regarding a news item published in print media on 19th June, 2014 under the caption “Twitter restores access to blasphemous content”. The spokesperson of Ministry of IT said that the news item does not portray the actual picture of the state of affairs.
All Social Media websites like Twitter has provisions to process the requests of governments for removing/withholding the objectionable content according to the laws of the country from which the complaints are originated. To the extent of such requests from Pakistan, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) liaises with the Twitter Management. Accordingly, Twitter removes/withhold the content, which violates the Twitter rules & Policies and the Pakistani laws. Twitter is compelled to reactively withhold identified content in specific jurisdictions around the world. Consistent with the policies Twitter provides notices to all of the affected account holders and published the actioned takedown requests on “Chilling EffectsClearinghouse” to maximize transparency.
On the basis of urgency of the matter, Twitter first blocks the access of the objectionable contents provisionally and engages with relevant governments if permanent suppression is required. Recently, Twitter has requested for some more information regarding the objectionable links reported by PTA after public and other requests. While the company as per its policy provisionally acted on the request, it’s a matter of usual practice to seek clarifications from requesting governments. Same relates to instant case and the actions are neither unusual nor Pakistan centric.