They called it the "Twitter revolution". Iran's post-election protests showed the world the power of new media to organize and publicize opposition in

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8505645.stm

This article is from February but I think it applies very well to what we’ve been talking about in class regarding media censorship. New media like Facebook and Twitter have given opposition groups voice in Iran. With a media that is very censored by the government groups are using alternative mediums to organize demonstrations against the government.

However, at a time when new media is one of the only ways for individuals to express themselves, government censorship is becoming more innovative. Opposition groups are gaining ‘raw’ power, and a public following, as they publicize controversial actions of the government (also related is this article about Iranian woman Neda Agha Solton http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8176158.stm who was shot and killed by authorities at a protest. It was recorded on a mobile phone a seen across the country.)

The government is recognizing the power of these sites and their users and as a result a cyber war continues to escalate. Officials organized a “cyber army” with a structured approach to attack new media that is continually becoming more advanced. They’ve drafted “army guards” some of the brightest young internet-savvy individuals, who are oftentimes forced against their will. The day after the election authorities shut down the internet completely for half an hour, and in another incident the cyber army carried out an attach on Twitter and other websites. It is unfortunate that the specific functions of new media, instant connection and sharing of knowledge, is being interrupted by the government.