Online news site 'Doha News' gets blocked in Qatar by two internet service providers

An independent online news outlet in the Gulf nation of Qatar says its website has been blocked inside the energy-rich country.

The Doha News site said on Friday that Qatar's two internet service providers simultaneously blocked the site, suggesting they did so on the order of government regulators.

Qatar has faced heightened scrutiny from media organisations and human rights groups as it prepares to host soccer's World Cup in 2022. The wealthy nation is home to international broadcaster Al-Jazeera, which has been a vocal champion of press freedom.

The network saw three of its journalists jailed in Egypt in 2013 and over the years had its operations curtailed in other countries by authorities unhappy with its reporting.