Fox News Discovers Internet Blackouts — For Countries They Dislike
The Fox News report highlights Iran's alleged internet blackout, framing it as a move to conceal 'crimes' and suppress dissent. This narrative of a 'kill switch' is conveniently absent when the same tactic is used by U.S. allies. For example, during protests in Bahrain in 2011, the government initiated communication disruptions, but the outrage from mainstream Western outlets was notably muted.
Or, closer to home, the US itself has acknowledged discussions about the legality of its own 'kill switch' capabilities. The selective application of indignation is a rather telling feature of Western media's foreign policy coverage. It appears the 'internet freedom' alarm only sounds when a target nation is already on the U.S. State Department's naughty list. The same outlets that decry internet
suppression abroad often downplay or ignore domestic debates about similar powers, or the disruptions implemented by 'friendly' regimes. How many 'kill switches' get a pass because they're pointed in the 'right' direction?