Online freedom falls prey to anti-Islam film violence
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Buy SPH photosSAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Internet rights champions on Friday were fearful that free speech online may be among the victims of violence spurred by an anti-Islam video posted to YouTube.
A decision by YouTube parent Google to deny access to the video in Libya and Egypt even though the film's hateful message isn't aimed at a particular person was seen by some as a compassionate step onto a slippery slope.
"If they do it this once, they are going to do it in other situations," said Ms Eva Galperin, freedom of expression coordinator at the Electronic Frontier Foundation and nopn-profit pressure group.
"There is a good chance you will hear from Google that, just this once, extenuating circumstances made them turn their back on freedom of expression; but that is just the beginning of the slippery slope."
