As of last night, July 18, access to blogs written by Persian speakers (Persian Blog and Blogspot) has become impossible in Iran. Accordingly, a few hours ago, the Persian Blog website, the first blogging service dedicated to Persian speakers, issued a statement on its site explaining the reasons for these restrictions: "Unfortunately, since 8 PM last night (July 18), access to the blogs of the Persian Blog service and also Blogspot has been blocked with ISPs that use the data service of the Telecommunications Company. The issue of access to the blogs is not related to the Persian servers. Currently, access to the main Persian Blog site is only possible through ISPs." This announcement reminds Persian Blog users: "If you are writing a note, your content will be saved as usual, and your blog will be restored, and as soon as the restrictions are lifted by the Telecommunications Company, your blog along with new content will be visible." The announcement also specifies: "We still have no information on the duration of these restrictions." Observers cite the main reason for these restrictions as the outbreak of clashes last night in some areas of Tehran and other cities. Over the past two to three years, Persian blogs have been one of the main sources for Iranian users to obtain news from eyewitnesses to events, namely bloggers. It is worth mentioning that previously, the prominent Iranian ISP "Pars Online" had blocked its users' access to all blogs. The website address of Persian Blog is: www.persianblog.com.
Iran Telecommunications Company Blocks Access to Blogs - July 10, 2003
The Iranian Telecommunications Company has blocked access to Persian-language blogs, including Persian Blog and Blogspot, following clashes in Tehran. This action highlights the ongoing restrictions on free expression and information access in Iran, particularly affecting bloggers who serve as vital sources of news.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Iranian Telecommunications Company has blocked access to Persian-language blogs, including Persian Blog and Blogspot, following recent clashes in Tehran. This move restricts the ability of Iranian users to access independent news and opinions.
- Access to blogs was blocked on July 18, 2003, after clashes erupted in Tehran.
- Persian blogs have been vital for Iranians to obtain news from eyewitness accounts.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has a history of internet censorship, particularly targeting platforms that facilitate free speech and dissent. Blogging has emerged as a popular medium for Iranians to share news and opinions.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%