CNN reports that Pakistan has blocked access to YouTube, and that action disrupted access to YouTube world wide on Sunday.

“Governments also have sought to regulate user-supplied Internet content to stymie allegations that they abuse human rights, the group said.

A few months ago, YouTube took down videos posted by an award-winning Egyptian human rights advocate that showed what he described as police abuse. YouTube subsequently restored his account and let him continue posting videos.

In Pakistan, a committee made up of representatives from various government ministries ordered the Pakistani Telecommunications Authority to block YouTube access, Mehmood said.

The authority sent a letter to Internet service providers on Friday evening ordering them to prevent people in Pakistan from visiting YouTube, she said.

The decision has received mixed reactions.”

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Mixed reactions to be sure.  Those in power certainly don’t want uncensored access to the masses, those not in power do. Age old struggle to prevent the flow of information.

Fear – That the masses will use the information to start a revolution.

Uncertainty – How much information is needed to fuel the fire. That’s what these governments don’t have a clear guage of, so they just shut it all down.

Doubt – That this information flow is against their religious principles.  What about oppression, starvation and murder? I guess that kind of religious sponsored activity is OK?

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