Iran's president signals softer line on web censorship and Islamic dress code

[alp227]

Source: The Guardian

Two weeks after his sensational victory Iran's president-elect, Hassan Rouhani, has expressed relatively progressive views about civil liberties, freedom of expression and the internet.

Social networking sites such as Facebook were, he said, a welcome phenomenon.

In his most outspoken interview in the Iranian media, Rouhani told Chelcheragh – a popular youth magazine – that he is opposed to segregation of sexes in society, would work to minimise censorship and believes internet filtering is futile.

"In the age of digital revolution, one cannot live or govern in a quarantine," he said as he made clear he is opposed to the authorities' harsh crackdown on Iranians owning satellite dishes, which millions have installed on rooftops for access to foreign-based TV channels illegal in the country.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/02/iran-president-hassan-rouhani-progressive-views

[jessie04]

1. Blah, blah,blah....talk,talk,talk

let the IAEA inspect ALL the sites, and i will be impressed.

[JimDandy]

2. WTF? You're on the wrong thread. Civil rights and freedoms

of Iranian citizen's are being discussed in the OP--nothing about IAEA--nothing about nuclear sites. Start your own thread instead of hijacking this OP.

Glad their new president has more progressive views than the old regime.

[jessie04]

3. Oh yeah...He sure SOUNDS so progressive.

Sorry...I've learned a long time ago saying you're progressive and BEING progressive are 2 different things. And I refuse to get all "warm and fuzzy" over words. I'm sorry you buy this empty talk.

Why don't you consider the possibility those words are for western ears only? Maybe to distract from the major issue of nuclear weapons?...maybe.

Don't believe everything you hear.

[Ash_F]

4. I think you've watched too many movies. /nt

[jessie04]

5. No....I've just seen this movie too many times. /nt

[Posteritatis]

6. This may sound odd, but the rest of the world doesn't exist purely within an American context. nt

[Paulie]

12. It doesn't???

That's unamerican!!!

[Posteritatis]

13. I know! It's madness, isn't it? (nt)

[JimDandy]

7. I'm willing to see if he can get these reforms passed.

I gave Obama a chance, twice. He failed miserably to implement a lot of progressive reforms he spoke about...but I gave him the chance.

[jessie04]

8. These reforms sound WONDERFUL.

and I will believe it when I see it.

If he really wants to re-enter the world stage, he can take a big step by letting the IAEA in. I've noticed he hasn't mention that yet.

[Nye Bevan]

9. Stopping people being executed for being gay

would be another progressive step.

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/1515207

[LibertyLover]

10. That's all well and good

and I'm glad that Mr. Rouhani has expressed these sentiments, but I'll just wait to see what the real rulers of Iran, the ayatollahs, say about it before I go lifting a glass of pomegranite juice in celebration.

[jessie04]

11. Don't hold your breath. nt