On revolution’s anniversary, Iran stifles internet

          
          On revolufion's anniversary, Iran s fles Intermt- Contthtee to Protect Jo... http://cpj.org/2010/02/iran-attempts-to-stlfle-internet-for-anrilversary-o.php
          a:
          cPJ
          Committee to Protect Journalists
          Defending Journal is: s Worldwide
          On revolution's anniversary, Iran stifles Internet
          New York, February 11, 2010—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the
          slow down the Internet and block text messaging ahead of expected demonstrations
          the Islamic Revolution.
          Iranian government's attempt to
          during today's 31 st anniversary of
          In the days leading up to the anniversary, Iranian authorities have taken measures designed to control the flow of
          information in and out of the country, CPJ research has found. This comes on the heels of announcements by the
          government and opposition leaders that their supporters would take to the streets in large numbers.
          On Wednesday, Iranian authorities announced that they will suspend Google's e-mail services inside the country and
          would be introducing a national e-mail service in the near future, according to international news reports. On Sunday, an
          Iranian official also announced that connectivity to the Internet would be slow for about a week, citing technical problems,
          according to Agence France-Presse. A slow connection prohibits journalists from easily uploading photos or videos.
          The same official also noted that text messaging for mobile phones had been disabled, according to local and
          international news reports. Opposition activists and local journalists have relied heavily in the past on text messages and
          Internet connectivity to coordinate their plans and to relay breaking news. The government has previously responded by
          disrupting Internet connectivity and disabling text messaging for days on end.
          In the past week, Tehran has also detained an undetermined number of journalists, including seven individuals who
          reportedly work for the Prague-based U.S.-funded Farsi-language Radio Farda, according to local news reports. Radio
          Farda has denied having any Iran-based employees. In a statement, the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence referred to them
          as “spies” and said that they were “elements of a counterrevolutionary Zionist satellite station.” They join at least 47
          journalists that were in custody as of February 1, according to CPJ research. //Vhile many of the detained journalists
          have not yet been charged with a crime, others have been charged with capital offenses, and could potentially be
          President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (AP)
          I . .
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          On revolufion's anniversary, Iran s fles Intermt- Contthtee to Protect Jo... http://cpj.org/2010/02/iran-attempts-to-stlfle-internet-for-annlversary-o.php
          sentenced to death.
          “We condemn yet another attempt by the government to censor news and information from Iran at a politically sensitive
          time,” said Mohamed Abdel Dayem, CPJ's Middle East and North Africa program coordinator. “We call on the authorities
          to restore full and unfettered access to the Internet and mobile communications for all Iranian citizens.”
          In an effort to offset what it has termed “counterrevdutionary” forces among protesters and journalists covering the
          unrest, the government has invited some 400 international journalists to cover pro-government commemorations of the
          Islamic Re oIution, according to the Christian Science Monitor and local Iranian news outlets. The last time the
          government invited large numbers of foreign journalists to report from Iran was during last year's June presidential
          election.
          “Unfortunately, when those journalists reported the news as they saw it unfold, Iran expelled some of them and refused
          to extend visas for others,” Abdel Dayem said.
          February 11, 2010 11:45 AM ET I Permalink (http:llcpi.orq/2010/02/iran-attempts-to-stifle-internet-for-anniversary-
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