Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Gag on blogs

The reported decision of the Department of Telecommunications to block blog sites ("Indian Web users decry the `gag' on blogs," July 19) is against freedom of speech and expression.

Terrorists use email too as a means of communication. Will DoT block all emails? Then instant messaging, discussion forums, and the Internet as a whole? Netizens always find a way out.

Taju A. Punnoose,
Kottayam, Kerala

* * *

If the blocking was indeed prompted by the Government's decision to cut off the communication lines of extremist groups, it was futile. The blogs can still be accessed by those knowledgeable enough.

They just have to use one of the infinite numbers of proxies available on the Internet. Better ban the entire Internet service! No more terrorism then!

S.S. Narayan,
Thiruvananthapuram

* * *

Even if the Government had sound reasons to justify the blocking, the implementation of such censorship is technically ineffective. Within minutes, people accessed the blocked blogs using proxy servers located in other countries. Interestingly, one of the first few proxies used was in Pakistan. If the censored bloggers want to reach Indians, they can easily operate under a different domain name. India not only needs to learn success stories from other countries but also failure stories.

C.G. Senthilkumar,
Davis, California

* * *

Among the inaccessible websites is the Mumbaihelp blogspot, which served as a lifeline for the people after last Tuesday's blasts, providing information, critical numbers to contact during emergencies, and details of the dead and injured. Maybe the Government will soon decide that since terrorists travel by cars, all petrol pumps must be shut down. Blogs are where people express their opinions. They are not endorsed by blogspot. So, calling entire websites radical is absurd.

Navdeep Randhawa,
Chandigarh

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