Iran: blogging against the regime and 'we are iran'

Monday, February 23, 2009
Iran: Blogging against the Regime and 'We are Iran'
Iran has become known as having the largest prison for journalists in the middle east, noted in 2006. Over the past 6 years, 41 newspapers in Iran have been banned which cancels out any forum for individual opinions and voices.
Iran was the first country to imprison a blogger and in April 2003, the first blogger Sina Motallebi blogged on rooznegar.com and was sent to jail. Iranians have been more polarized against the government, creating more political and personal bloggers at a faster growing pace.
Alavi created a book called 'we are Iran' to help outsiders understand the "monumental social changes" in Iran. The book emphasizes citizens rights and the struggle for a civil society.
The "blogosphere" is the only way for free speech, but free means of communication are being deprived in Iran. Literacy rates in Iran stand much higher than many European countries.

'We are Iran' helps shed light on views in Iran and people will find the freedom of expression they are searching for in cyberspace if it is allowed. Lolivashe writes in Alavi's book; "...I write so as not to be lost in my despair. I write a weblog so that I can shout, cry and laugh, and do the things that they have taken away from me in Iran today."
People are acting out and writing to get their point across and opinions heard.

http://www.alternet.org/story/30702/?page=1
Posted by Amanda Reinstein at 10:24 AM 0 comments
Labels: blogosphere, Iran, webblog
Sunday, February 8, 2009