Amidst a raging controversy over the Indian government's proposal to monitor content in cyber space, U N Secretary General Ban Ki Moon today said access to the Internet and various social media must not be blocked as a way to prevent criticism and public debate.

In his speech on the eve of the Human Rights Day which was released at the United Nations Information Centre here, Moon said, "Today, within their existing obligation to respect the rights of freedom of assemble and expression, governments must not block access to the internet and various forms of social media as a way to prevent criticism and public debate."

His comments came a few days after Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal had said the government will take steps to stop offensive and defamatory content on Internet sites.

Maintaining that the government does not want to interfere with the freedom of the press, Sibal on December 6 had said if the social networking sites are not willing to cooperate with us on stopping incendiary material "then it is the duty of the government to think of steps that we need".

Emphasising on the important role that the social networking sites played in global events, Moon said, "Many of the people seeking their legitimate aspirations were linked through social media."