(PPF/IFEX) – According to PPF, Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL), India’s sole gateway to the Internet, has blocked the web site of Pakistan’s leading English language daily newspaper, “Dawn”. According to “The Times of India”, Internet users in India have been unable to connect to the “Dawn” website for more than a week. A VSNL […]
(PPF/IFEX) – According to PPF, Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL), India’s sole
gateway to the Internet, has blocked the web site of Pakistan’s leading
English language daily newspaper, “Dawn”.
According to “The Times of India”, Internet users in India have been unable
to connect to the “Dawn” website for more than a week. A VSNL official,
speaking on condition of anonymity, told “The Times of India” that the
company had blocked access to the Karachi-based newspaper’s site. Only those
users on privately leased international circuits can still get through.
“The Times of India” adds that, despite several phone calls to VSNL, no
explanation has been forthcoming. In fact, company officials are not even
willing to admit that the site has been blocked. VSNL Delhi acknowledges
that the site is unavailable but blames headquarters in Mumbai for the
problem. Senior officials in VSNL Mumbai, on the other hand, feign ignorance
and promise to get back, which they never do. Amitav Kumar, the company’s
acting managing director, was reportedly busy in a board meeting the whole
day on Friday, 2 July 1999, and hence unable to come to the phone
“Dawn” is the second Pakistani media organisation that has been blocked in
India. Last month information and broadcasting minister Pramod Mahajan
banned cable operators from relaying Pakistan TV (see IFEX alerts of 15
June, 9 June and 4 June 1999).
The blocking of “Dawn” was criticized in Pakistan. Nusrat Mirza, the advisor
on public affairs for the Ministry of Information and Media Development,
termed the action an act against freedom of press and democracy.
