Iran's Protests in the Dark: How We're Mapping the Unseen Uprising
BBC Verify Live is on the ground (virtually) tracking the spread of protests in Iran, despite a crippling internet blackout. But here's where it gets controversial: how can we truly understand the scale of these demonstrations when the government is actively silencing communication?
Mapping the Unseen: A Technical Tightrope Walk
Christine Jeavans, BBC Verify senior journalist, explains the intricate process of mapping protests in a country where reporting from within is forbidden. We're not just talking about pinning locations on a map. It's a meticulous dance of verifying hundreds of videos from social media and direct submissions, using geolocation to pinpoint exact filming spots. Imagine piecing together a puzzle with only fragments, each requiring careful examination. We group videos by location, ensuring accuracy, and then plot them using the programming language R. But what about the protests we haven't seen? The blackout casts a long shadow, leaving us to wonder about the full extent of the unrest.
12 Hours of Silence: A Familiar Tactic
Ghoncheh Habibiazad, senior reporter at BBC Persian, highlights the chilling reality of a nationwide internet blackout. NetBlocks reports Iran has been virtually cut off for 12 hours, with connectivity plummeting to a mere 1%. This isn't the first time. Iranian authorities have repeatedly pulled the plug during periods of unrest, citing security concerns and alleged cyberattacks. Is this a legitimate security measure or a deliberate attempt to suppress information and stifle dissent? The 2019 blackout, coinciding with protests over fuel prices, saw over 100 deaths, details of which only emerged after the internet was restored. A chilling reminder of the human cost of silence.
Flames of Dissent: Unraveling the Isfahan Fire
Joshua Cheetham and Ghoncheh Habibiazad, from BBC Verify and BBC Persian, are analyzing footage from across Iran, including a fire at the offices of state broadcaster IRIB in Isfahan. By meticulously comparing video with satellite imagery, they've pinpointed the location to the Young Journalists Club, an IRIB subsidiary. What sparked the fire? Were there casualties? The blackout shrouds these questions in uncertainty, leaving us with more questions than answers.
Beyond Tehran: A Nation in Turmoil
Thomas Copeland, BBC Verify Live journalist, paints a broader picture. We're tracking protests not just in Tehran, but across Iran, verifying videos of both peaceful demonstrations and violent clashes with security forces. US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) reports over 30 protesters and eight security personnel killed, with around 2,270 arrests. But these are just the numbers we know. How many more stories remain untold, silenced by the blackout?
A Global Perspective: From Kyiv to Portland
While Iran grapples with its internal strife, the world doesn't stand still. We're also investigating Russia's overnight missile strike on Kyiv, allegedly in retaliation for a drone attack on Putin's residence, denied by Ukraine. We're consulting weapons experts to understand the Oreshnik missile, a weapon rarely deployed in this conflict. Closer to home, we're examining a shooting incident involving a Border Patrol agent in Portland, Oregon, leaving two wounded, just days after a fatal shooting by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. In a world increasingly interconnected, these events, though geographically distant, resonate with the themes of power, protest, and the struggle for justice.
The Question Remains: Who Controls the Narrative?
As we navigate the complexities of reporting in a blackout, one question lingers: in an age of information, who truly holds the power to shape the narrative? Is it the governments who control the flow of data, or the citizens who find ways to make their voices heard, even in the darkest of times? We invite you to join the conversation. Share your thoughts, your concerns, and your hopes for a future where information flows freely and truth prevails.
