Six young Iranians were
arrested in Tehran and forced to repent on state television today for posting
their homemade video “Happy in Tehran” on YouTube last month. (The video is
posted here for your viewing.)
“Happy in Tehran” was
viewed more than 165,000 times on YouTube before it attracted the attention of
the police and was made private, The New Youk Times reported today.
On Sunday, Iranian President
Hassan Rouhani had denounced Internet censorship in his country as “cowardly.”
He said Iran should embrace Internet rather than view it as a threat.
“We must recognize our
citizens’ right to connect to the World Wide Web,” Rouhani said. “Why are we so
shaky? Why have we cowered in a corner, grabbing onto a shield and a wooden
sword, lest we take a bullet in this culture war?” he asked. (IRNA/NYTimes, 20
May)
“Even if there is an onslaught, which there is,” Rouhani added, “the way to face it is via modern means, not passive and cowardly methods.”
