Posted on 01/14/2006 5:18:16 AM PST by Khashayar
Described by Reporters Sans Frontieres as "the biggest prison for journalists in the Middle East" -- where, in the last six years, 41 daily newspapers have been banned -- Iran has long lacked a public forum for independent voices.
But it hasn't been immune to the user-driven web revolution. In April 2003, Iran became the first government to imprison a blogger: Sina Motallebi of the popular weblog RoozNegar.com. (Despite anti-censorship public outcry, the Iranian government still uses extensive filtering to block out Internet content deemed inappropriate.) It seems that as the regime has tried to crack down on "immorality," dissent and secularity, Iranians have become more polarized against the government, creating a fast-growing community of political and personal bloggers.
Nasrin Alavi, an Iranian NGO worker who lives in London, has collected the best of the Iranian blogosphere in an acclaimed new book, We Are Iran (Soft Skull Press). This compilation of postings from the vibrant Farsi blog community gives readers an unprecedented glimpse into Iranian citizens' lives, and what emerges is a picture of an educated, youthful population with passionate opinions on Israel, the U.S., political Islam, and other far-reaching issues.
Alavi created the book to help outsiders understand the "monumental social changes" currently under way in her home country. "These blogs offer a unique glimpse of the changing consciousness of Iran's younger generation," she explains. "[They] see themselves as citizens with rights, struggling for a civil society. They greatly outnumber the soldiers of the ideological state."
(Excerpt) Read more at iranvajahan.net ...
Perhaps we can undermine Iran's society like ours was undermined by the communists in the 60s: By encouraging their social equivalent of the 'hippies.'
GOOD READ!
Aren't you in Iran? You be careful!
Check your freepmail!
Thnx
Good morning..can you tell us how much access there is to satellite TV? Do many have dishes? Does the news get through to the people?
Used to catch rainwater?
Thank you for the morning ping. Take care.
Bird baths
Keep an eye out on your 6 man.
"As one blogger, dubbed "Our Voice," writes: "Twenty-five years of religious rule has had one long-term benefit for generations to come, no Iranian will ever want to mix matters of state with religion." "
Important point.
I do have a comment about something the writers of this article said......" education and universal literacy were ideals of the 1979 Revolution"
Literacy and education were the goals and ideals of the Shah and Shahbanou. Take a look at the literacy rates before the Shah and at the end of his leadership. It was of major importance to them both.
Excellent and interesting article, thanks for posting. Also, your freeper home page is well done with lots of great photos and information. Stay safe over there Khashayar. I hope someday soon you are "mullah free".
It's safe to say about 10-15 million have satellite acccess even though it's illegal. That access to Persian stations has been one of the causes of such a large social change.
Thanks for the ping.
;~ )
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