Weblogistan: a new path to self-expression in Iran

In recent years the blogosphere in the Middle East has experienced significant growth.Weblogs have become a primary medium for dissidence against the autocratic regimewith its state-controlled media. Iran is one of the countries with the strictest censorshippolicy in the Middle East. Thus, weblogs offer Iranians the only platform to peacefullyexchange their policy thoughts, emotions and opinions by overcoming the boundaries ofgender and social class that have been imposed by the government. Hence, the Iranianpeople can enjoy such democratic pillars as freedom of speech and self-determination albeitto a limited extent.