Democracy in Iran has been simple fare up until now; What’s good for the Ayatollah is good for you too. But a new social networking site is threatening to crumble the appearance of democracy in the country. People in Iran are fighting back via Twitter in the biggest online reaction since two girls one cup. After incumbent president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won the recent presidential elections by an overwhelming 33.75 to 150.1 percent (+/- 0.1 percent) the guardian council has acknowledged the possibility of voting irregularity but thought nothing more of it. Rather than accept this apparently legitimate result – announced only hours before polls closed – voters have taken to the streets to protest in an unprecedented show of defiance and disregard for personal safety. Despite the attempted media blockade, we have managed to get a correspondent into the country.
[Chief Editor] Omar, with the restrictions placed on the media it must have been very difficult for you to bring this report?
[Middle East Correspondent] Actually I’ve been unharrassed. Apparently they’ve never heard of our network so I wasn’t deemed a threat.
[Chief Editor] A fortunate mix up for us. Can you describe the situation is on the streets?
[Middle East Correspondent] I’m not on the streets Ed. I’m in an internet cafe checking my Twitter account.
[Chief Editor] Is that because this revolution is unique in that a large part of it is being fought online?
[Middle East Correspondent] Yes…and because I’m still waiting for someone to follow me.
[Chief Editor] Right. What effect is Twitter having in facilitating this civilian uprising?
[Middle East Correspondent] I’d say it’s been a negative one.
[Chief Editor] Negative? Isn’t it being hailed as a positive influence, giving ordinary people a voice and ushering in a new wave of civilian journalism?
[Middle East Correspondent] Exactly. By letting people speak out, Twitter is undermining the pretence of democracy that the leadership here had worked hard to establish.
[Chief Editor] Is this why there have been continued attempts to block the service?
[Middle East Correspondent] Yes. The government is trying to get people to stop talking about old news. Sure there were doubts, but what’s an election without questions of legitimacy anyway?
[Chief Editor] This seems different though. People are protesting in droves risking life and limb for a recount. There must be something to it?
[Middle East Correspondent] Just an overreaction. The result is really no more suspect than George Bush’s re-election in 2004.
[Chief Editor] Are you trying to saying that George Bush stole that election?
[Middle East Correspondent] Of course not. I’m saying that Ahmadinejad won this election fair and square.
[Chief Editor] Then who are the people leading this online campaign?
[Middle East Correspondent] That’s just it. We don’t know who these messages are coming from. Iranians? Americans?…Ashton Kutcher?
[Chief Editor] You’re saying that some of these messages may not be coming from actual Iranians?
[Middle East Correspondent] Maybe. Just look at these tweets: “People are being tortured for speaking the truth, why?”, “I’ve just been beaten by hardliner thugs…all we want is democracy”. How can we trust the source of these messages?
[Chief Editor] They sound like Iranians? Aren’t these prime examples of the truth coming out?
[Middle East Correspondent] What is truth anyway? Can any of really claim to know the truth?
[Chief Editor] Why are you so opposed to Twitter?
[Middle East Correspondent] Because…Why is no one following me!? My profile picture’s green and everything. I just don’t think Twitter isn’t all it’s cracked up to be that’s all.
[Chief Editor] I’m not sure what that has to do with the situation in Iran.
[Middle East Correspondent] I just saying can we really believe the affect that people claim Twitter is hav–Hold on…I have a follower. Someone’s following me!
[Chief Editor] Err, Omar?
[Middle East Correspondent] Just a minute. Iranian425 wants to know if I’ll come to a rally for some guy called “Mousavi”.? I’m replying with “Thinking bout it”.
[Chief Editor] OK, well I’ll just leave you to that then.
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