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An Exploration of the Iranian Blogosphere

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An Exploration of the Iranian Blogosphere Looking for Freedom: An Exploration of the Iranian Blogosphere ‘Looking for Freedom: An Exploration of the Iranian Blogosphere’ A study submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Librarianship at THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD By Alexis Rigby September 2007 Alexis Rigby: 060111799 1 Looking for Freedom: An Exploration of the Iranian Blogosphere Acknowledgments For Max Mitchell Many Thanks to Andrew Cox and my dear friends and wonderful hosts S.A, D.Y and Y.M. Alexis Rigby: 060111799 2 Looking for Freedom: An Exploration of the Iranian Blogosphere Abstract This investigation of the Iranian blogosphere provides an account of the impact that Internet censorship has had on blog discourse. It focuses on a sample of English-language Iranian weblogs inside Iran and the Iranian diaspora to investigate how their experiences of blogging differs in terms of content, character and motivation differ. The methods used to generate the data include a literature review and research trip, an online survey and a textual analysis of blog content. In analysing the data the researcher grounds theory in relation to previous research conducted by Herring et al (2004) and Nardi, Schiano and Gumbrecht (2004). It is a qualitative inquiry that establishes why and how blog patterns have emerged and what motivates these bloggers to maintain weblogs. With the aim to explore processes of self-censorship it also considers how Iran’s long history of censoring activity and cultural paradoxes has influenced the spread of Internet access. Despite government attempts to control content through limiting connection speeds, blocking access to popular websites and arresting bloggers, Persian is the third most populous blogging language. Tough policies on freedom of expression and crackdowns on print media have all increased the importance of the Internet and consequently blogs as platforms for self-expression and self-empowerment. With this rise in active filtering Iranian bloggers have created new methods to counter limitations and undermine restrictions on social interactions. The main findings of this research suggest that blogs in the diaspora are much more similar to those inside Iran than anticipated as bloggers post about similar topics for similar audiences. Self-censorship is a process commonly found across the entire Iranian blogosphere as authors seek to avoid filtering and the loss of their audience inside Iran. The strategies of self-censorship highlighted by this research include: the omission of direct personal evaluation, retreats to personal experiences, disclaimers, conversational transcripts and anonymity or pseudonymity. Word Count: 307 Alexis Rigby: 060111799 3 Looking for Freedom: An Exploration of the Iranian Blogosphere Contents Page Contents ............................................................................................................................. 4 1. Introduction................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Subject of Investigation............................................................................................ 6 1.2 Aims and Objectives ................................................................................................ 8 1.2.1 Research Questions............................................................................................. 9 1.3 Motivations .............................................................................................................. 9 1.4 Methodology and Methods Overview.................................................................... 10 1.5 Dissertation Structure............................................................................................. 11 2. Methodology ................................................................................................................ 13 2.1 Methodological Strategies...................................................................................... 13 2.1.1 Qualitative Characteristics................................................................................ 14 2.1.2 Rationale ........................................................................................................... 15 2.2 Methods of Data Collection ................................................................................... 16 2.2.1 Literature Review and Research Trip ............................................................... 16 2.2.2 Survey ............................................................................................................... 18 2.2.3 Textual Analysis ............................................................................................... 19 2.2.3.1 Research Sample and Selection Criteria...................................................... 21 2.2.3.1.1 Insiders................................................................................................... 22 2.2.3.1.2 Outsiders ................................................................................................ 23 2.3 Method of Data Analysis ....................................................................................... 24 2.3.1 Grounded Theory.............................................................................................. 24 2.4 Ethical Approval and Research Practicalities ........................................................ 25 2.5 Timetable of Study Overview ................................................................................ 26 3. Literature Review ....................................................................................................... 27 3.1 A Culture of Paradoxes? ........................................................................................ 27 3.1.1 Pre-Islamic Histories and the Islamic Revolution ............................................ 27 3.1.2 A Veiled Society............................................................................................... 31 3.1.3 Education and National ‘Brain Drain’.............................................................. 33 3.1.4 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 35 3.2 The Internet Predicament ....................................................................................... 36 3.2.1 A Platform of Communication ......................................................................... 36 3.2.2 Access, Control and Regulation........................................................................ 38 3.2.3 Uncensoring the Censored................................................................................ 41 3.2.4 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 42 3.3 The Weblog Phenomenon...................................................................................... 43 3.3.1 Definition and Common Characteristics........................................................... 43 3.3.2 Style, Purpose and Genre.................................................................................. 44 3.3.3 The Quiet Revolution – Iranian Blogging ........................................................ 46 3.3.4 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 48 Alexis Rigby: 060111799 4 Looking for Freedom: An Exploration of the Iranian Blogosphere 4. Findings and Discussion ............................................................................................. 50 4.1 Quantitative Survey Results................................................................................... 50 4.2 Qualitative Survey Results..................................................................................... 52 4.3 Qualitative Textual Analysis Observations............................................................ 58 4.3.1 Object-oriented Motivations and Blog Characterisations................................. 58 4.3.1.1 Update Others on Activities and Whereabouts/Journals and Notebooks.... 59 4.3.1.2 Express Opinions to Influence Others/Filters and Notebooks .................... 60 4.3.1.3 Seek Others’ Opinions and Feedback/Journals ........................................... 61 4.3.1.4 ‘Think by Writing’/Filters, Journals and Notebooks................................... 62 4.3.1.5 Release Emotional Tension/Filters and Notebooks..................................... 63 4.4 Self-censoring Linguistic Strategies ...................................................................... 64 4.4.1 Reporting Experiences and Personal Evaluation.............................................. 64 4.4.2 Metaphor and Analogy ..................................................................................... 66 4.4.3 Anonymity and Pseudonymity.......................................................................... 67 4.5 Discussion Summary.............................................................................................. 69 5. Conclusion and Recommendations ........................................................................... 72 5.1 Recommendations for Further Research................................................................ 74 6. Bibliography ................................................................................................................ 75 7. Appendices...................................................................................................................84
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