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State Dept. taps Twitter to reach Iranians |
| Source: |
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-02-15-statetwitter15_ST_N.htm |
| Source Date: |
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 |
| Focus: |
ICT for MDGs
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| Country: |
United States |
| Created: |
Feb 15, 2011 |
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After watching Facebook and other social media help grass-roots movements toss repressive regimes in Tunisia and Egypt, the State Department is turning to Twitter to encourage opposition groups in Iran, where thousands clashed with police Monday in the country's largest gathering of anti-government protesters in more than a year.
The State Department began tweeting messages in Farsi on Sunday on two Twitter accounts: @USAdarFarsi and @USAbilAraby.
"We want to join in your conversations," said one tweet.
"U.S. calls on Iran to allow people to enjoy same universal rights to peacefully assemble, demonstrate as in Cairo," another said. Last week, the State Department launched a Twitter feed in Arabic.
"There is a real, vibrant and compelling conversation going on now around the globe. It is a conversation increasingly taking place on the Internet, and America wants to be a part of it," says Judith McHale, undersecretary of State for public diplomacy and public affairs. "We are keen to reach out to people where they spend their time online to listen, to present U.S. views and values, and to engage as we work to advance a better and more prosperous future."
The State Department tweets preceded violent clashes Monday in Tehran between Iranian police and thousands of people protesting President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the first major anti-government gathering since his re-election in June 2009.
Dozens of protesters were injured, and at least one death was reported. Eyewitnesses told the Associated Press on Monday that at least three protesters injured by bullets, and others were hospitalized after being beaten.
State Department spokesman Mike Hammer says the government's Twitter program is consistent with U.S. diplomacy but offers more direct contact with Iranians.
"We want to make sure that our views are being heard by Iranian audiences, especially young people," he says. "Because of the virtual media blackout and restrictions imposed by the Iranian government, we are looking for any way to make sure our positions are clear to all Iranians."
Still, while the Obama administration may be trying to help power the wave of democracy rippling through the Middle East, going outside traditional diplomatic channels with the official use of Twitter, Facebook and other social media could backfire, industry analysts say.
"These uprisings are organically driven, so politically, it's delicate" for the government to add its official support, says Zeynep Tufekci, a sociology professor at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.
"Given the reputation the United States has had in the area, especially in Iran, I'm not sure it makes sense to say 'We're part of your history; let me join in the conversation,' " she says. "It's like an 800-pound gorilla that might not have the intended effect of supporting democracy. Maybe it makes sense, at this point, to take a step back."
Fordham University media studies professor Paul Levinson says Twitter's lifeblood "is the authenticity and individuality of tweets. The State Department has to be extremely careful. If these tweets come across as communiqués, they'll go against the fundamental strength of Twitter — hearing directly from people. It's a risky undertaking. And Iran could denounce any tweets … as phony."
Contributing: Jon Swartz
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State Dept. taps Twitter to reach Iranians After watching Facebook and other social media help grass-roots movements toss repressive regimes in Tunisia and Egypt the State Department is turning to Twitter to encourage opposition groups in Iran where thousands clashed with police Monday in the country's largest gathering of anti-government protesters in more than a year The State Department began tweeting messages in Farsi on Sunday on two Twitter accounts @USAdarFarsi and @USAbilAraby
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