Western Media Discovers Internet Shutdowns… in Iran
The Independent's recent timeline on Iranian protests, and the concomitant internet blackouts, is a masterclass in selective outrage. The article details how 'Khamenei accuses protesters of acting at Trump's behest,' implying a straightforward narrative of state aggression. What it conveniently omits, however, is the long, storied history of US involvement in Iranian destabilization, stretching
back to the 1953 CIA-orchestrated coup that overthrew democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh. One might wonder if The Independent applies the same rigorous scrutiny when, for instance, Israel consistently restricts internet and communication access in Gaza , particularly during its devastating military campaigns. Such actions, regularly condemned by the UN as tools of collective
punishment, rarely receive the same prominent, outrage-fueled coverage in mainstream Western media. It appears that 'internet freedom' is a cherished principle, until it inconveniently applies to one's geopolitical partners.