Iran prepares for Students Day protests

Victoria Atencio
Blog #9

This article from CNN.com is about Iranian authorities who are using their political power in order to prevent possibilities of protests on December 6th. This date marks the anniversary of Students Day, the 1953 killing of three university students by security forces. Authorities are also preparing for protests against the June 12 elections. The results of these elections led to nationwide protests that in the end resulted in the jailing of hundreds of demonstrators who have since brought to attention charges of torture and rape while in jail. Protesters who have been prosecuted have even received sentences including death.
What makes this article a form of social control is the fact that the Iranian government heavily restricts journalist activity within the country which makes it difficult and sometimes nearly impossible for news organizations to receive or confirm information. Adding to the heightened level of control is the fact that the foreign media are forbidden to watch for protests anytime from Monday through Wednesday at which time protests are predicted to take place. The control Iran has over its citizens is difficult to encompass because in the United States it is our right as citizens to protest and furthermore the media has the right to freedom of the press. Restricting the media from covering a political movement is a rippling effect because without the media public opinions and public oppressions will not be recognized and does not allow its citizens to fight for their rights. The Iranian government is executing a form of control in which they are restricting what the people of the country see therefore creating a false identity.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/12/06/iran.protest.warnings/index.html