RIGHTS-IRAN: BLOGGERS REBEL AT NEW CENSORSHIP.

by Omid Memarian

BERKELEY, California, Jan. 10, 2007 (IPS/GIN) -- In a bid to clamp down even harder on information disseminated through the Internet, Iran's hard-line Islamic government has demanded that all Web sites and Web logs (blogs) originating in the country be registered by March 1. Iranian bloggers say the move clearly violates free speech.

A committee of government officials, including members of the intelligence, judiciary, telecommunications, and culture and Islamic guidance ministries, will be in charge of approving the content of Web sites. The committee is authorized to block or filter Web sites or blogs that they deem illegal.

Over the last few years, the government has banned and filtered thousands of Web sites and blogs without explanation. The new law, however, specifies what kinds of content are not allowed.

Web site and blog registrars must provide personal information about themselves. Bloggers and Web masters who fail to do so risk being shut down and penalized. If the case ends up in court, the accused may find themselves in prison.

Some activists plan to defy the new requirements. Farnaz Seify, a feminist blogger in Tehran, told IPS, "The government's new policy of forcing registrations indicates that the authorities are making it clear that no one is permitted to criticize or even discuss religion, government's policies, revolution, ayatollahs and social problems."

"Freedom of speech doesn't have such restrictions and limitations -- however, Iran's government ignores this basic right of human beings," she said. "With this new regulation, the government insults both me and my intelligence. I will not register my personal Web site. I don't need to get permission to have freedom of expression."