US approves anti-filtering software for Iran

The anti-internet filtering software, Haystack, received the necessary export license from the US government last week to sell their product to Iran in an effort to help Iranian citizens gain free speech. Inspired by the internet restrictions during the June 2009 elections, the software uses mathematical formulas to mask users’ identities and to allow them to access and post items on government blocked websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Gmail and YouTube. Haystack was created by the non-profit Censorship Research Center in San Francisco, and according to the company’s executive director, Austin Heap, the only way to disable the software is by disabling the entire internet.

Maziar Bahari interview

Richard Gizbert of Al Jazeera’s Listening Post interviewed Maziar Bahari at the Index on Censorship Free Expression Awards. Watch it below.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uwBC03qZbc

35 journalists incarcerated in Iran, more expected

CPJ’s latest monthly census reveals that as of April 1, about 35 journalists were imprisoned as a result of the Iranian government’s post-election media crackdown. Although 18 more journalists were temporarily released for the Iranian New Year they are expected to be returned to prison soon. Iran currently has the most incarcerated journalists in the world. To sign a petition to help release the journalists in Iran, click here.

Iranian journalists released on bail in time for New Year

In past month many Iranian journalists and bloggers have been released on bail by authorities before the start of the Iranian New Year. Those currently on bail include Sasan Aghaei, Ali Moazemi, Kivan Farzin, Behrangh Tonkaboni, Arvin Sedaghat Kish, Hamid Mafi, Ehsan Mehrabi, Naimeh Dostar, Bahaman Ahamadi Amoee, Kivan Samimi Behbani and Saide Lylaz. However, several other journalists were denied bail or the right to visit during the festival period, including Masud Lavassani, Mehdi Mahmudian and Emadoldin Baghi. For more information about imprisoned journalists in Iran, please help support the campaign Our Society Will Be A Free Society.

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