16 June 2009

Keeping Twitter open - The best suport the US Government can give to Iranians at present

CNN has reported that the US State Department is working with Twitter and other social networking sites to ensure Iranians are able to continue to communicate to each other and the outside world.


By necessity, the US is staying hands off of the election drama playing out in Iran... But they do want to make sure the technology is able to play its sorely-needed role in the crisis, which is why the State Department is advising social networking sites to make sure their networks stay up and running for Iranians to use them and helping them stay ahead of anyone who would try to shut them down.

Senior officials say the State Department asked Twitter to refrain for going down for periodic scheduled maintenance at this critical time to ensure the site continues to operate... The Internet, and specifically social networking sites, are providing the United States with critical information in the face of a crackdown on journalists by Iranian authorities.

“There are lots of people here watching,” one senior official said. “There are some interesting messages going up.”

The US Government can't do much in Iran, despite what idiotic hawks may think or say. This certainly is one way that it can help facilitate the flow of information at a time when Iranian authorities are closing other media forms.

9 comments:

Red Rag said...

Also advertising for Twitter that money can't buy.

jams o donnell said...

Be that as it may, Red Rag, if it helps keep the lines of communications open for Iranian prtestors I will no bother that Stephen Fry Tweets about his next big turd!

Digital Flower Pictures said...

They can't shut down the net like they do the newspapers and TV so that is a good thing.

Nevin said...

Power of the internet.! Pretty amazing stuff....

My only worry is, once this energy blows over, what will be the outcome? It is very hard to predict where this is all going... I can not imagine the power structure giving up their position with a few protests on the streets...

A Free Man said...

One of these days my fellow countrymen are going to realize that we're not as powerful as we think.

Here's hoping that things work out in Iran, but by most accounts the alternative isn't that much of an alternative.

Roland Dodds said...

I agree Jams. At this point in time, the US should be doing all in its power to make sure the Iranian opposition’s voice is heard both in and out of the country.

jams o donnell said...

It certainly is DFP!

I would not put any money on the outcome except to say that there wil be more blood Nevin, sad but that is a given

AFM It isn't a big alternative but there is a groundswell for change and it will be a hard job to quell it. Sadly the authorities will try and will not care how many are murdered in the process


I agree wholeheartedly Roland, It is the best thing the US can do

The Lone Beader® said...

I am following 'Change for Iran' on Twitter!

jams o donnell said...

Glad to hear it LB!