Blogs Provide Free Speech Outlet for Iranians

"In a country where speaking one's mind can have dangerous consequences, many Iranians are showing remarkable bravery through a medium that is proving immensely popular, reports the Online Journalism Review. It's called blogging and thousands are doing it.

"An online journal where one can write anything from personal thoughts to political commentary and link news sources from around the world, a web log, or blog, represents a "cyber-sanctuary" for many Iranians. Users can hide their identities by employing anonymous e-mail addresses and pseudonyms. Many use their blogs to criticise Iran's ruling clerics through satire or humorous cartoons.

"While Iran's rulers have clamped down on the country's independent press, the Internet has so far eluded its authority, largely because the government still allows privately owned servers to operate. Even so, bloggers in Iran could use foreign-based servers to host their sites if the government tried to shut them down.

"Blogging has proved effective in mobilising political action, notes the Online Journalism Review (OJR)....One blog had collected 4,000 signatures on a petition."

Click here to view the entire article on the IFEX (International Freedom of Expression eXchange) website.