Network Solutions shutters anti-Islam film site

Network Solutions has suspended a Web site that a Dutch lawmaker was using to promote a yet-to-be-released film critical of Islam.

The Web hosting service said it is investigating whether content on the site--Fitnathemovie.com--is in violation of the hosting service's acceptable use policy.

The 15-minute movie, called Fitna--an Arabic word that means "test of faith in times of trial"--describes Islam as "the enemy of freedom," according to comments made by Geert Wilders, a Dutch lawmaker and the film's maker. Dutch officials fear the movie could spark violence, as happened after Danish newspapers published cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. The movie is set for release at month's end.

Wilders had been using the site to promote the movie, but the site was pulled after the Web-hosting company said it received a "number of complaints" regarding the site.

"In this situation with the dialogue that's happening throughout the world ,we've made the choice to suspend the site as of last night," Susan Wade, spokeswoman for Network Solutions, told the Associated Press on Sunday. "This site is suspended so people can't see the content right now. But the customer still has access to their site. They can make whatever changes are necessary as we complete our investigation."

Wilders plans to show his film despite the setback, Dutch news agency ANP reported.

"If need be, I will personally distribute DVDs in the Dam," ANP quoted him as saying. The Dam is the central square in Amsterdam.

[Dead Soulman]

The turning point

I see a major problem happening in our societies these days with the increase of Islam, we're starting to see a certain type of censorship so they're not offended. However, when it comes to Catholicism, it's fair game to make fun of it, ridicule it, and do whatever you want with it. I may not agree with what some people do/say about Catholicism as a religion or its characters, but I respect their right to express themselves. Unfortunately, the same can not be said about Islam, and we're starting to give them a pass. We need to keep an eye on this sort of double standards otherwise our freedoms will corrode sooner than we'd think.

[georgiarat]

Catholics don't riot

Perhaps the only way to get attention is to riot or cause
destruction or murder another. The more the bully gets his or
her way the more aggressive they will become. Learn from
history folks!

[Renegade Knight]

Fair Point

Islam is doing a better job of taming the rest of the world than the rest of the world is doing taming Islam.

Nothing like fear to get the job done. Ironicly it's a Christian concept to not let fear get in the way of doing the right thing.

[rosehill107]

Right on

You've hit the nail on the head. Movies are released all the time criticizing Christianity but let someone hold Islam up to scrutiny or criticism and all the politically correct get very upset.

[SilverbackRK]

Censorship, disgraceful conduct for a minority owned company

So that is their process? To pull the registration because "a number of complaints".

OK, let me start logging complaints about Network Solutions selectively pulling registrations.

I mean, the next thing, if they get a number of complaints about porno sites that are objectionable to fundamentalist Christians, will they also pull those registrations?

Shameful, disgraceful behavior by a formerly leading firm in the industry.

[FranticBlagger64]

No problem

The provider has no problem hosting sites like Hezbollah Online. Maybe we all should send some complaints. It worked for a single empty web page with the offensive text 'coming soon'.

[wmorgan999]

Network Solutions - Payback

After Network solutions charged me for recovering my domain name - then they didnt recover it as they did gauranteed they would! -
I suggest that we all "Suspend" our use of network solutions, and put them out of Business!!

[macwiseguy]

Who owns Network Solutions?

That would be a good starting point. The fact that they are trying to censor only makes me want to see this movie more. They obviously don't get that or those trying to censor don't
Anybody have any info on the owners where we can push our contempt at their actions?

Angry in Napa, CA

[zaznet]

read the article!

They did not pull the name service registration for the domain. They are the web hosting company who provides the web pages their customer posted the video on. They pulled the site down which is on their servers and subject to their rules.

This is not an ICANN issue or even one of free speech. It is an issue of a web hosting provider and their customer meeting the AUP (Acceptable Use Policy) that was agreed upon by both parties. It is a contract issue.

[seth.levy]

Preemptive censorship

Gotta love it... what TOS violation can be found in a site that said nothing more than "Fitna the Movie: Coming March 23rd"

[bitjack]

Post the video on Peer-to-peer

Using peer-to-peer and IP address-based links, while a pain in the butt that we shouldn't have to resort to, would remove the power that these "politically correct" (read: dangerous) government-backed companies wield. If the content is objectionable, than let people object.

[xinunus]

CENSORSHIP

It amazes me that Network Solutions took it upon itself to shut this website down. It typically takes an act of God to shut a website down. If I was Network Solutions I would be getting my lawyers ready for a lawsuit. You can not SELECTIVELY shut down websites because you feel it is offensive to a religion. We have the right to freedom of speech and this is a direct violation of our First Amendment rights. This is CENSORSHIP in its purest form and should outrage every American. This is absolutely PATHETIC...

[therealbean]

Not a first amendment situation

Please read the first amendment before you quote it. It, as well as the whole Bill of Rights, relates to *government* behavior. Companies, such as Network Associates, are not prevented from limiting speech, right to assemble, right to bear arms, if they want to.

[anthony f wood]

Not Just American's

A lot of Australians & New Zealanders like to have a say about what they can & cannot see.
We generally find a way to do so even if the law gets a little dented along the way.

[AnonTip]

Good, important story

I had not idea that Network Solutions, a company funded by US Government grants with our tax dollars, had gotten into the business of censoring "unapproved" political speach.

This is an important, eye-opening story. Please follow up with more details when available.

[Jim Hubbard]

Just closed my NS accounts.....

I will not support any web host or ISP that censors free speech because they fear realition from religous extremists.

Cowards.

[Leria]

Get ready to get off the internet totally then

Because most ISP's would cave to pressure like this, I hate to say.
Most ISP's would fold like a house of cards made from toilet paper at the first strong breeze when threatened, and who can blame them. One internet attack, and they can be out millions of dollars in time, energy and personnel costs.

[Ned Mullen]

Network Solutions has suspended a Web site that a Dutch lawmaker was using

Network Solutions is deaf and dumb.
They should be shuttered.

Ned

[Schratboy]

Network Censorship Solutions

You can be sure that I'm going to move any domains I have with these scumbags....

[crich25]

Terrorist 1 -- Network Solutions 0

Looks like the threat of violence is serving its purpose. It's a good thing that there are no other websites whose content is offensive that are registered with NS. Oh, excuse me, I meant to say no other sites offensive to muslims.

[fazalmajid]

Yes they do

I was in Paris in the 1988 when a fundamentalist Catholic group firebombed a movie theater on the Place St Michel in the Latin Quarter, for showing Martin Scorsese's "The Last Temptation of Christ". 14 spectators were injured, 4 severely. The same group burned down 2 other theaters, and a moviegoer died.

That said, I am a Muslim and while I think this movie is vile, I find Network Solution's action completely unacceptable if it was not compelled by law.

[anthony f wood]

and such criminals...

are generally hunted down and brought to justice for the evil they do.
They are tailed from country to country until they are arrested and returned (when possible).
Muslim bombers are often sheltered in Islamic States and then go out to kill again. This has been well documented by the world press, unless you have been living under a rock!

[holzfaller]

Have you seen it?

You say that the movie is vile. Did you have a private screening? It hasn't been released yet.

This is the problem, people with closed minds not giving other peoples opinions an airing before making up their minds.

[CODArz]

Good Job Network Solutions

We do a lot of Business with Network Solutions and this decision shows leadership. This is what I would expect from an industry leader.

As humans, we must respect each other and try not to become reflection of the person in front of you. If Muslims around the globe have certain code of conduct to follow and shape their laws according to it, we do NOT have any RIGHT to challenge it or make a movie to mock it. We also tend to forget, all religions teach us good deeds and by serving humanity lead us to some sort of Creator. The basis of any conflict in the world is "INJUSTICE".

[coryschulz]

Umm...

I think it's important that everyone have the freedom to challenge most things, especially religions. It's important that we have the personal freedom to decide if we want to be for or against an idea or religion. And it's important that we have the ability to communicate why we feel this way.

[Mercury23]

you do realize

That terrorists and a large portion of islam has no respect for you or others?

When you have Muslims strapping on C4 to their bodies and running into crowds to blow themselves up and as many other people as possible, that shows you how different they think than the civilized world. They do not respect their own lives, much less the lives of others.

You are so misguided and naive, I do not even know what to say.

One of the first steps of change is debate. When you have one side who refuses to be challenged, then you can not progress. This is why we live in the 21st century and they still live in the 11th.

I guess you don't really notice all the injustices carried out in the name of Islam...

[Gromit801]

Not Leadership

Cowardice.

What Muslims do within their religion, is their business. When it
begins to effect my life, then it's my business.

When NS bows to Islamic pressure, then they no longer have my
interests in mind, and as such, they no longer get my money.

Losing money for your corporation isn't leadership.

[Dr_Zinj]

Inconsistent and Illogical

CODArz, my autistic son could beat you in a debate with hismouth sewn shut.

You speak of respect for each other in one breath and totally miss that these fanatical muslims have no respect for us. And unlike us, are willing to kill people to make them conform to their view of the world.

They want to see themselves in any reflection, not you.

The other problem is muslim fundamentalists follow a distortion of their religion much the same as any other fundamentalist religious group.

If I can surf on line to a site showing a group beheading somebody they kidnapped for political purposes, then I should be equally able to surf to a site where someone is showing a film critical to the first group.

And you're also wrong about the basis of any conflict in the world; it's uncompromising self-interest.

[Glenn Steiding]

Network Solutions is running scared

I think some Muslims ruin a chance for dialogue and understanding with their obsessive behavior. We are all born on this planet as free spirits. How can the Muslim religion just assume control over the entire world by intimidation, violence, oppression of women, rejection of other peoples faiths or customs, and forcing Sharia law on entire governments. We are being crushed as free human beings. I can't wait until the Chinese people become incensed by these fanatics.

[mitch77]

DISCUSTING AND COWARDLY

A minority owned company does this.
I would love to see them shutter some
Pro-Palestinian sites!
Bet it never happens.
All of the leftist politically correct crowd
are completely oblivious to how they are embracing
the worst traits of the left - fascism.

[akheel1]

Open Letter to Network Solutions

Here's the text of an email I sent to Network Solutions through their website. I think everyone who reads this should send a similar letter and ask ten friends to do so as well. If they get flooded with complaints, they may see that their cowardly actions are bad for business. To access the email function, click on the "Help" link and then follow the links to send an email to support.

[akheel1]

Text of Letter to Network Solutions

The text of my email to Network Solutions didn't post for some reason the first time. Here it is:

"How do I go about shutting down Network Solutions the same way you shut down Fitnathemovie.com based on "complaints?" I have lots of complaints about your sniveling, cowardarly, ought to be ashamed to be American, censorship of political speech."

[coryschulz]

I hate religion

It's just sooo worthless.... and such a waste of resources...

[Leria]

I have to agree

It's about time that we realize that the only reason that religonists get all up in arms about videos like this one is because they raise some VERY good points usually about religion, in all it's forms on this planet.

To be blunt, religion is the WORST INVENTION OF HISTORY, with only the atomic bomb coming in at a VERY far second.
In order to believe in religion you have to: deny reality, believe that some imaginary 'god' gives a **** about who you sleep with and doesn't have better things to do with his time than monitor who is sleeping with who, won't intervene on this planet because humans have 'free will' even though when we are killing each other, we are NOT exercising our 'free will' but violating someone else's, etc.

Religion is a sham for the stupid and braindead who just CANNOT live in a world where they are not the center of the universe, where they are no better than anyone else (even the serial killers and serial rapists of the world), and where everyone is equal and therefore deserves an equal share of everything.

[space142]

Network Solutions shutters anti-Islam film site

My feelings are all religions came from same God/Allah. Different Prophets were sent by God time to time. They all preached pretty much the same thing to improve our spiritual and social wellbeing. If Prophet Moses, Prophet Jesus or Prophet Mohammad was alive today and sitting together, they would be very sad to see where there followers have taken their teachings. It is so sad. In this view, I support Network Solutions Shuttering the Anti-Islam Film Site. I will tell them to do the same, if any other anti-Christian or anti-Judaism websites under their control tries to bring harm to the people. Love for all, hatred to none.

[rshew]

It's disturbing that NetSol took action before

they evaluated the situation. It sets a dangerous precedent. Who decides for what reasons if a site should be summarily shut down because of fear it may offend someone?

If I found out my site had been shut down because my ISP thought it might be in violation of their acceptable use policy, I'd be pretty upset. If my site is already up and running, I would hope they would first come to me *when* they had discovered actual policy violations and give me the chance to "fix" the problems before they pulled the plug on the site.

I'm tremendously disappointed with their behavior in this case. Enough said.

[Ben Powell]

Web Censorship

Network Solutions should be Boycotted until they learn the value of contractual obligations and free speech. There was no substantive content on that site; absolutely no excuse for censoring it.

[cem]

Appreciate Network Solutions for defusing...

The aim of the movie is a problem from the very beginning. I can't understand the dutch lawmaker anyway. How should we be able to build bridges between religions if even lawmakers try to devastate religion?
Network Solutions made it right because the site would be attacked several times. And in that situation only anger will increase... thx NetSol

[hMQ]

I agree

Just I agree with you

[geratric1943]

Afraid?

So that means that Network Solutions won't support freedom of speech because it is afraid of those who would curtain freedom of speech. What a bunch of wusses.

Courage is going against tyranny in any form.

[b_baggins]

Why would you want to build a bridge

with a religion that flogs women for being alone in a car with a
man?