Iran blocks video sharing site YouTube
Iran is preventing its citizens from accessing video-sharing site YouTube, according to a report by the Associated Press.
YouTube is just the latest Web site to be blocked by a government operated by Shiite clerics over the past year. Iran has tried to cut off access to porn sites, those controlled by people critical of the government, and any that present Iranian pop music videos, which are unwelcome by the government, the AP reported.
Reporters Without Borders, an International group, told the AP that YouTube had been blocked for the past five days. The group has listed Iran as among the top 13 countries that are most apt to censor Internet sites.
The AP reported that the government served notice that the New York Times and online encyclopedia Wikipedia would be shut off in Iran. But the Times was able to log on to the Times' site on Tuesday, according to the news service.
Newspapers that promote reform in the country are restricted even while some independent publications remain, according to the AP.
Greg Sandoval covers media and digital entertainment for CNET News. He is a former reporter for The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. E-mail Greg, or follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sandoCNET. 
