Internet activism during the 2009 Iranian election protests
NedaNet is an eponymous and informal alliance of hacktivists, named after Neda Agha-Soltan, the practical purpose of which to provide logistical technical support to Iranians at home and abroad to enable them to to disseminate uncensored information regarding the 2009 Iranian presidential election and the resultant protests. The project began with the establishment of networks of proxy servers, anonymizers, and other computer equipment in order to enable the protestors (whom NedaNet refers to as "the revolutionaries"[1]) to freely communicate, and hence, organize, via Linux, *BSD and MacOS X.
The site was set up as "jumping-off point" for hackers who wish to help Iranian citizens. Eric S. Raymond, the founder of the website,[2] describes its basic purpose as follows:
“Our mission is to help the Iranian people by setting up networks of proxy servers, anonymizers and any other appropriate technologies that can enable them to communicate and organize — a network beyond the censorship or control of the Iranian regime.”[2]
Eric S. Raymond has reported that he has in the past received multiple death threats and intimidating messages from persons claiming to be Hezbollah and Iranian agents.[2] Raymond, a long-time science fiction fan, refers to his current situation as "... living inside a cyberpunk novel. A libertarian cyberpunk novel."[3] Inasmuch as he serves as the front man for NedaNet, as practical security matter he has not asked to be told anything not for public consumption.[4]
References
- ^ "Welcome to NedaNet" NedaNet home page
- ^ a b c Steinberg, Julie (2008-06-22). "Neda Agha Soltan's Death Inspires New Site". The Wall Street Journal blogs. Retrieved 2008-06-28.
- ^ Etheridge, Eric. "Morning Skim: What Now for Iran’s Protestors?" New York Times Opinion: The Opinionator: A Gathering of Opinion From Around the Web. June 22, 2009
- ^ http://esr.ibiblio.org/?p=1096#comment-237450