User-generated content, other high-bandwidth websites blocked for U.S. soldiers
{{date|May 14, 2007}}
[[File:United States Department of Defense Seal.svg|right|thumb|175px|The Department of Defense seal]]
The [[United States|U.S.]] [[W:Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] has announced that access to popular high-bandwidth websites, including user-generated content sites like [[MySpace]] and [[YouTube]], will be blocked on [[w:military|military]] computers. The block takes effect on Monday and will apply worldwide for all military personnel using Department of Defense computers. 

The block is targeted at sites that contain user generated content. Including MySpace and YouTube, a total of 12 sites will be off limits according to Robert Weller of the ''Associated Press'': Metacafe, iFilm, StupidVideos, FileCabi, BlackPlanet, Hi5, Pandora, MTV, 1.fm, live365 and Photobucket.

According to U.S. Strategic Command officials the block is due to "bandwidth/network issues" resulting in possible "clogging [of] the network". 

The move affects soldiers' ability to view content on these sites, but does not affect the military's ability to provide content. Army Maj. Gen. [[W:William B. Caldwell|William Caldwell]], the Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, told Carmen L. Gleason of the ''American Forces Press Service'' in mid-March: "We want the American public, from an unfiltered vantage point, to be able to see what coalition forces and Iraqi security forces are doing here in Iraq."  

{{haveyoursay}}
== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18659901/
 |title=Access to YouTube, MySpace cut for soldiers
 |author=Robert Weller, Associated Press
 |pub=MSNBC
 |date=May 14, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6655153.stm
 |title=US blocks soldiers from websites
 |author=
 |pub=BBC News Online
 |date=May 14, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=32454
 |title=Coalition Servicemembers Reach Out to America via YouTube
 |author=Carmen L. Gleason
 |pub=American Forces Press Service
 |date=March 14, 2007}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=MNFIRAQ Multi-National Force page on YouTube]

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[[Category:Internet]]
[[Category:Media]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:MySpace]]
[[Category:YouTube]]
[[Category:MTV]]
The Department of Defense seal
The U.S. Department of Defense has announced that access to popular high-bandwidth websites, including user-generated content sites like MySpace and YouTube, will be blocked on military computers. The block takes effect on Monday and will apply worldwide for all military personnel using Department of Defense computers. 

The block is targeted at sites that contain user generated content. Including MySpace and YouTube, a total of 12 sites will be off limits according to Robert Weller of the Associated Press: Metacafe, iFilm, StupidVideos, FileCabi, BlackPlanet, Hi5, Pandora, MTV, 1.fm, live365 and Photobucket.

According to U.S. Strategic Command officials the block is due to "bandwidth/network issues" resulting in possible "clogging of the network". 

The move affects soldiers' ability to view content on these sites, but does not affect the military's ability to provide content. Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, the Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, told Carmen L. Gleason of the American Forces Press Service in mid-March: "We want the American public, from an unfiltered vantage point, to be able to see what coalition forces and Iraqi security forces are doing here in Iraq."
Internet Media Politics and conflicts United States North America MySpace YouTube MTV