Despite Iran being a tightly controlled Islamic theocracy in which dissent is not tolerated, the message that the recent presidential elections were rigged gets out. Violent demonstrations ensue, which the authorities harshly try to put down, but they continue. In a standard measure to stop the protests, Iranian authorities try to shut down all communications, leaving only official channels open.
But this is 2009 and things are different now. Despite no access to radio, television or newspapers and with even the mobile phone network closed down, Iranian opposition is able to regroup and organise.
The violent demonstrations continue and to the incumbent regime’s dismay, news of them leaked out. How? The Internet is the new conduit, one that the authoritarian regime cannot suppress or censor.
Iranians desiring democracy upload raw and uncensored video clips to YouTube, using the micro-blogging service Twitter to disseminate information, share pictures and of course, email and web pages everywhere.
When Neda, a 27-year-old woman is shot at random by a member of the state-controlled Basji militia and dies in her father’s arms, the world gets to know about it instantly. It’s a horrible spectacle, one that galvanises the opposition and one that cannot be swept under the carpet by Iran’s authorities no matter how hard they try. She has become the face of the conflict.
As if we needed any reminder, events in Iran confirm technological change in communication means we now live in a truly open global society. With its proliferation of platforms, it appears that The Internet has arrived as the truly ‘uncontrollable’ communication forum. As communication professionals and global citizens we must be mindful of its power.