In this edition: Iran continues its online crackdown; outrage as web users` mock a teenage rape victim; and a flipbook of the best goals of the 2014 World Cup …
IRAN CONTINUES CRACKDOWN ONLINE
Iran`s official news agency IRNA has reported that 8 Iranian Facebook users have been handed out lengthy jail terms ranging from 8 to 21 years. The accused, whose identities have not been divulged, have been found guilty of actions counter to the country`s national security by spreading anti-government propaganda on the social network. Heavy sentences and part of Iran`s continued crackdown online.
As NGO Reporters without Borders points out on its website, this recent court ruling is not an isolated case in Iran, far from it. 12 other web users were sentenced to a combined 135 years in prison late May over their activity on Facebook, which is officially banned in the country.
The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran says this wave of convictions illustrates the ongoing conflict between moderates led by president Rouhani who champions greater online freedoms, and hardliners pushing online censorship. The NGO also says that ordinary citizens are the victims of this power struggle.
And as the site Mashable points out not all Iranians enjoy the same online privileges. Most citizens risk prison if they use Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, yet Iran`s diplomats and officials have social media accounts and are pretty active on them. Iran`s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is a prime example; despite his fierce opposition to the democratization of the web in Iran, he has often turned to online tools to voice his views.
USA: WEB USERS MOCK RAPE VICTIM
16 year old Ohio high school student Jada who was reportedly d... Go on reading on our web site.
Visit our website:
http://www.france24.com
Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English
Follow us on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/France24_en