Real News

I like to watch the BBC for world news. They cover more news in 10 minutes then do the networks in their 1/2 hour "newszines." Last night the BBC was reporting the DC Metro crash in which 9 people died, 76 treated for injuries. I saw the BBC report around 6:05 pm, the crash occurred slightly before 5 pm.

I thought I would get more information at 6:30 when the networks did their thing. NBC made no mention whatever, preferring to show dogs on surf boards. A check of CBS and ABC were no matter. If ABC and CBS reported on the crash they did not use it as a lead story. Perhaps preferring not to report rather then credit another news source?

Only CNN and Fox reported the accident in the time span between 6:30 and 7:00 pm. CNN provided the most coverage. I guess the networks work out their programing and then regardless of more current events you are NOT informed. This is sorry.

Iranian Disaster

I am worried about Iran. The government possesses some the most sophisticated technology in the world for controlling and censoring the Internet. They use deep-packet inspection to block and monitor communication. They can gather information on individuals as well as alter it for disinformation purposes.

The American media is crowing about how the authorities are unable to block video and pictures getting out of the country. Perhaps the Iranian government can't interdict this information or, more ominously, does not want to (yet). They have the means to capture information on the brave people that are sending images out of Iran along with messages on social networking websites.

This provides the government an excellent tool by which they can identify dissidents for later arrest and perhaps elimination. The Internet is viewed as the wild west but sophisticated software may be enabling dictatorial regimes new tools for oppression.