US starts Farsi Twitter account aimed at Iranians

babylonsister

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Sun Feb-13-11 07:46 PM
Original message

US starts Farsi Twitter account aimed at Iranians

I think this is pretty darned smart.

http://www.salon.com/wires/us/2011/02/13/D9LC5ST00_us_us_iran_twitter/index.html

US starts Farsi Twitter account aimed at Iranians
By Associated Press

The U.S. State Department began sending Twitter messages in Farsi on Sunday in the hopes of reaching social media users in Iran.

On the Twitter account, USA darFarsi, the department told Iranians, "We want to join in your conversation."

The second and third tweets were more pointed. The State Department accused Iran's government of illegalizing dissent while praising Egyptian protesters for the same activities.

The U.S. then called on Iran "to allow people to enjoy same universal rights to peacefully assemble, demonstrate as in Cairo."

The Farsi Twitter account had 60 followers within two hours of its launch.

Last week, the State Department launched an Arabic Twitter feed in an effort to communicate with the Egyptian protesters who eventually brought about the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.

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drm604

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Sun Feb-13-11 08:03 PM
Response to Original message

1. I have mixed feelings about this.

By doing this openly they lend credibility to any Iranian propaganda that protesters are U.S. agents or dupes. It might have been better to clandestinely open a number of Farsi Twitter accounts spreading similar messages but not openly linked to the U.S.

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jenmito

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Sun Feb-13-11 08:14 PM
Response to Reply #1

4. There's nothing wrong with encouraging young people to get involved with their govt.

The U.S. State Department began sending Twitter messages in Farsi on Sunday in the hopes of reaching social media users in Iran.

On the Twitter account, USA darFarsi, the department told Iranians, "We want to join in your conversation."

The second and third tweets were more pointed. The State Department accused Iran's government of illegalizing dissent while praising Egyptian protesters for the same activities.

The U.S. then called on Iran "to allow people to enjoy same universal rights to peacefully assemble, demonstrate as in Cairo."

ibid

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drm604

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Sun Feb-13-11 08:20 PM
Response to Reply #4

6. Well, like I said, I have mixed feelings.

I have no problem with the message I just wonder if it shouldn't have been done differently, but I could be wrong.

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jenmito

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Sun Feb-13-11 08:05 PM
Response to Original message

2. K&R. What a great idea! n/t

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rug

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Sun Feb-13-11 08:09 PM
Response to Original message

3. Cold War relic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Free_Europe/Radio_Liberty

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babylonsister

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Sun Feb-13-11 08:17 PM
Response to Reply #3

5. Huh? nt

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rug

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Sun Feb-13-11 08:22 PM
Original message

The government has been broadcasting directly to "enemy" populations for 60 years.

This is its coverage area.

Twitter's just the latest twist.

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babylonsister

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Sun Feb-13-11 08:26 PM
Response to Original message

9. Publically asking to join the coversation is hardly

'broadcasting to the enemy'. Quite a stretch there, but you sure do attempt to find the negative in a positive.

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rug

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Sun Feb-13-11 08:33 PM
Response to Reply #9

10. An official stream from the State Department is hardly an invitation to join a conversation.

You may wish to read about Radio y Televisión Martí as well.

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babylonsister

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Sun Feb-13-11 08:36 PM
Response to Reply #10

11. From the OP:

On the Twitter account, USA darFarsi, the department told Iranians, "We want to join in your conversation."

I don't know how twitter accounts work, but since it's in it's infancy, and advertised already, I don't see anything nefarious about this.

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FrenchieCat

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Sun Feb-13-11 08:22 PM
Response to Reply #5

7. Bah Humbug....in other words.

Nothing is nearly good enough about anything ever is poster's MO.
Goes back to the primaries. Never got over it.

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rug

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Sun Feb-13-11 08:23 PM
Response to Reply #7

8. Speaking of propaganda tools . . . .

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MattSh

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Mon Feb-14-11 12:58 AM
Response to Original message

12. Wow! Maybe some day the US government will start a conversation with Americans?

Other than STFU?

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