Notes on Harvard Journalism/Blogging Conference

• Internet and blogs are credfble in closed societies, like Iran
• Internet is the most trusted medium in Iran, even much more than 'reformist' newspapers and the state tv now
• Without free media, public discourse does not happen, and that's been the case in Iran
• Especially for serious topics such as nuclear programs, people have no idea about it, due to lack of public debate
• Blogs and Internet are creating the public space required for this sort of public debate
• Two examples:
  1. Blog of the President's adviser in NYTimes: An Iranian Cleric Turns Blogger for Reform
  2. A whole new debate about the future of Iran started from a website calling for a referandum to change the constitution by a credible student group