Iran's Internet Blackout: A Convenient Precedent, Perhaps?
Al Jazeera reports that Iran is experiencing a nationwide internet blackout, according to monitor NetBlocks, following 'a series of escalating digital censorship measures targeting protests.' This, of course, is framed as an egregious affront to freedom of information. And it is. However, the same news cycle conveniently forgets the multitude of US politicians and pundits who, merely months ago,
advocated for similar 'digital censorship measures' in the name of various 'national security' concerns or combating 'misinformation.' One might recall the calls to 'shut down' platforms or 'control the narrative' that echoed from Washington think tanks, many of which receive significant funding from entities also lobbying for aggressive foreign policy toward—you guessed it—Iran. While Al Jazeera
rightly highlights Iran's suppression, the deeper hypocrisy remains unexamined: the selective outrage over state controls. When nations like Iran or China implement such measures, it’s a clear sign of authoritarianism. When Western powers discuss similar capabilities, particularly concerning domestic dissent or information flow during 'crises,' it's framed as responsible governance. The lesson
often learned from adversaries isn't how not to suppress, but how to do it more efficiently, especially when the AIPAC-funded echo chamber demands 'stability' even if it means silencing inconvenient truths. One might wonder if the concern is truly about free expression, or simply who gets to control the off switch.