Iranian Internet journalist free, web log in the ban
The Iranian Internet journalist Sina Motallebi has been released
temporarily. At the end of April he was arrested by the Iranian
authorities for the umpteenth time. His 'cultural activities' were
said to jeopardise national security. The imprisonment of the prominent
reporter led to international protests.
Motallebi defended arrested journalists, among others, on his
web log www.rooznegar.com. He sought refuge on the web after the
reform-minded newspaper for which he worked was banned at the beginning
of this year. The Iranian government has banned at least 80 newspapers
and magazines during the last three years. Recently 15 thousand
so-called 'immoral' web sites have been banned, as well, both pornographic
as well as political. This means that the web no longer provides
an escape for Iranians with opposing views.
Motallebi is the first journalist in Iran that has been arrested
for texts on the Internet. According to the interest group Reporters
without Borders there are 49 'cyber-dissidents' who are currently
imprisoned world-wide. Iranian web loggers are leading a web campaign
from San Diego to get Motallebi released from prison.
Annemiek Leclaire
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