Should websites be restricted/censored?
By azilana7037 •
It is an interesting debate because the internet is a very liberal place, there are no real restrictions.
Access to various websites is restricted in some parts
of the World so it's the same here in Qatar.
Some people/expats who are new in Qatar may find it different as some/certain websites which you could freely browse/surf back in your home countries may not be accesible here. It's understandable coz basically, Qatar is an Islamic (or Arabic)country...anything that would be contradicting and considered "haram" would be banned/censored or restricted.
Personally, I have no problem with that as I'm just a visitor here, earning my keeps.
What are "your view/s" about this, dear QLers?
Lets not forget QL community guide line number #2.
2-Qatar Living strives to be a family friendly site. Do not post any explicit content which violates Qatar's traditions and customs.
Not too long ago I wanted to read about the Obama healthcare bill and Qatar Foundation had blocked that site. I was doing online shopping for intimates (my underwear that I can't find here)and the site was blocked. I can't see how a healthcare bill and bras and panties are hurting this country but oh well.....
Motherhood...The hardest job you'll ever love! : )
well TR it is really ridiculous, but not every individual can self-discern what he-she wants to access
This is ridiculous. I can't access some of the great music sites I was so used to back home. I don't see anything objectionable about these sites. I don't understand why they do it. Every individual can self-discern what he/she wants to have access to.
If you don't want your kids seeing questionable content on the net, then there are ways to block it within your own household, and you can set your own parameters (some folks are more strict than others) so that it best suits your and your family's needs.
The problem with Q-Tel blocking sites is that they also block sites that have useful material on them. Medical websites are often blocked because they contain photographs of certain parts of the human body. This created a problem for one of my students years ago who was doing research on female genital mutilation. She ended up having to change her topic at the last minute because she could not access enough material online because Q-Tel was blocking it all.
If Qatar is striving to be a "knowledge-based society" all around (and not just on the Education City campus, where internet access if unfettered and completely free)then they need to rethink their current stance of restricting access to information.
"If you're looking for sympathy, you'll find it between sh*t and syphilis in the dictionary."
- David Sedaris
Everything should be censored. The people are little children, don't know what is right or wrong and need guidance in all situations.
azilana7037 said:
It's understandable coz basically, Qatar is an Islamic (or Arabic)country...anything that
would be contradicting and considered "haram" would be banned/censored or restricted.
Azi, I agree with your comment 100 percent.
Lets not forget QL community guide line number #2.
2-Qatar Living strives to be a family friendly site. Do not post any explicit content which violates Qatar's traditions and customs.
censored everything should be allowed.
I don't believe a country as a whole has the right to tell its people what they can and can't see. It should be up to the individual to self censor, and if there are things you don't want to see, don't go looking for them!
There are other means to defeat the system. On the overall, censorship is a matter of choice for religious countries and underage schools children.
i remember reading somewhere that web censorship by ISP in qatar focuses on 3 things.
1 Pronography.
2 Criticism of their political leaders.
3 Anti islamic websites.
Aana free, jaana free,
Pakde gaye tho khana free.