Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Iran

Iranian Journalists Protest Against Closures

(RFE/RL)

September 19, 2006 -- Iranian journalists today met to protest the recent closure of four publications, including the reformist newspaper "Sharq."

TEXT SIZE - +

September 19, 2006

Many expressed concern over the move and warned that the move could have negative consequences.

The head of Iran's Islamic Human Rights Commission, Mohammad Hassan Ziayifar, called the closures a violation of the public's rights.

The Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) media watchdog has called the closures totally unacceptable.

Dozens of reformist and independent publications have been shut down in Iran in recent years.

(IRNA, ISNA)

Many Iranians have been claiming that their access to social networks and Internet-based e-mail sites has been blocked in recent days.

Iran Tightens Internet Control

Iranians are reporting that their access to Facebook and Internet-based e-mail sites like Gmail has been blocked, without any explanation from the government. Not even the strongest antifiltering programs have penetrated the firewall, they say. Some speculate the move is related to Iran's plan to launch a national internet, which might sever Iranians' ability to access the World Wide Web. More

Web-savvy Iranian oppositionists are renowned for their ability to use proxies and other means to circumvent Tehran

Explainer: Iran's National Internet

Reports that Iran has stepped up its Internet censorship in recent days -- as evidenced by a general slowdown of the web, Internet blackouts, and the blocking of sites such as Google -- has raised speculation that the country might be testing its controversial "national Internet." More

A cardboard Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini arrives in Tehran to mark the 33rd anniversary of his triumphant return to Iran following the Islamic Revolution.

Iran's 'Cardboard Khomeini' Faces Criticism, Condemnation

Iran's "Cardboard Khomeini" is fueling a firestorm of criticism in the Middle Eastern country after cutouts of the Islamic republic's founder appeared at a number of events, and photos mocking the mock-up went viral. More