Google defends hosting of Islam film

GOOGLE'S executive chairman Eric Schmidt defended on Thursday YouTube's hosting of an anti-Islam film that sparked violent global protests, saying the answer to "bad speech is more speech" -- not a ban.

Google, the parent company of the video-sharing site, has blocked access to "Innocence of Muslims" in a number of nations, including India, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, where it is deemed illegal.

But Schmidt stressed that the low-budget video met YouTube's basic criteria for material that can be posted, which is why it remains accessible in many countries. (continue reading...)