[aresant]

Is it really a story that an Islamic nation would shut down a pornographer?

That seems like that is a foregone conclusion, whereas bit.ly is an incredibly visible, legitimate service.

Libya has had a tumultuous few decades, but today they're in the United Nations Security Council, have paid reparations for terrorism, and their president is the Chairman of the African Union.

Why would they destroy a partnership with the most visible silicon valley company to have any association with their country?

[dualboot]

No, the story is that they can shut down a domain name and there is no appeal that can be filed.

You exist at the whim of the dictator.

To further provide fuel for the fire the author cites and example of them shutting down another URL shortening service because it was being used to link pornography. Something I'm sure Bit.ly is often used for as well.