(c) 2008, AP, Photo by Tatan SyuflanaStudents protest against "Fitna" in Jakarta, Indonesia
By: Trina Joshi
The Indonesian netizens do not have access to YouTube, My Space and a few more Web sites that carried an anti-Islamic movie “Fitna, says an AFP report.”
The Internet Service Providers temporarily blocked the access to these sites in response to protests in the country and government’s request to stop showing the film thereafter.
The movie, made by a far-right Dutch lawmaker - Geert Wilders - is based on an anti-Islamic theme and portrays the holy book, Koran, in an objectionable manner. It showcases the 9/11 attacks and the 2004 Madrid bombings and uses some quotes from the Koran that coveys an impression that such gory acts have been justified by the holy book of Muslims. This has offended people of a country that has the largest population of Muslims in the world.
My question – 1) Is this freedom of expression or blasphemy?
2) Is there any freedom of expression in hurting the sentiments of somebody?
3) Should government have the power to quell voices that are against the faith of its country?
4) In an attempt to stop protests in the country, is the Indonesian government right in its place for banning access to certain Web site?
A retort to Fitna - http://youtube.com/watch?v=rpiccERJaFk
The Indonesian netizens do not have access to YouTube, My Space and a few more Web sites that carried an anti-Islamic movie “Fitna, says an AFP report.”
The Internet Service Providers temporarily blocked the access to these sites in response to protests in the country and government’s request to stop showing the film thereafter.
The movie, made by a far-right Dutch lawmaker - Geert Wilders - is based on an anti-Islamic theme and portrays the holy book, Koran, in an objectionable manner. It showcases the 9/11 attacks and the 2004 Madrid bombings and uses some quotes from the Koran that coveys an impression that such gory acts have been justified by the holy book of Muslims. This has offended people of a country that has the largest population of Muslims in the world.
My question – 1) Is this freedom of expression or blasphemy?
2) Is there any freedom of expression in hurting the sentiments of somebody?
3) Should government have the power to quell voices that are against the faith of its country?
4) In an attempt to stop protests in the country, is the Indonesian government right in its place for banning access to certain Web site?
A retort to Fitna - http://youtube.com/watch?v=rpiccERJaFk
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