Bangladesh may unblock Facebook by 6/14

A highly placed source in the Ministry of Telecommunications told Weekly Blitz that the Bangladesh government is actively considering unblocking the popular social networking site Facebook latest by Monday [June 6, 2010]. The site was earlier blocked by Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission [BTRC] for containing cartoon of the Prophet of Islam.

On condition of anonymity, the source said, Facebook authorities have already closed several Fan pages containing 'objectionable' contents. Meanwhile, there is tremendous pressure on the government from country's Information Technology [IT] sector, which considers such blocking as a major obstacle in advancement of the country towards its goal of further expansion of computer based network in Bangladesh. Current ruling party in its electoral mandate promised 'Digital Bangladesh' by 2013.

It may be mentioned here that, the same government earlier blocked YouTube, which was later unblocked in three days, while the blocking of Facebook is continuing for almost one week.

Justifying such actions of the government, the official said, in future also, Bangladeshi authorities will block any such social networking site or even news site, if they will contain any item, which either would be considered blasphemous or 'threat' to the national security of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh government is actively considering blocking a number of sites soon. These sites include website of Hizbut Tahrir, website of Hizbut Towhid, blog and Facebook page of Islamic Democratic Party [former HuJI], all porno sites etc. Bangladesh authorities will also block websites of all militancy organizations in India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Government is also considering taking actions against illegal news sites operated from Bangladesh.

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Bangladesh may unblock Facebook by 6/14

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