Reporters Without Borders this week called for the release Ali Asguar Jamali, an Iranian blogger and doctor based in the northern city of Qasvin who has been arrested along with other activists for “inciting actions against national security including protests and insults against government officials by means of publications and meeting.”

“Baseless accusations are routinely made against journalists and bloggers who are arrested for using their right to free expression. Jamali, who defends workers rights and treats the poor free of charge, keeps a blog called ‚ÄúDR social-democrat‚Äù (http://pezeshk55833.blogfa.com/).” ‚Äî RSF

Media crack downs, arrests and intimidation of those attempting to use blogs and social media to discuss political issues is still a regular occurrance in Iran following the recent election in which several irregularities took place during ballot counts.

The reason for these attacks on bloggers is clear: “It should be noted that Tudeh Party of Iran essentially, but not solely, operates in exile, said Ali Khavari, First Secretary of the Central Committee of Tudeh Party of Iran in a recent interview. “Especially, utilizing the means of electronic communications has revolutionized the operations of every opposition party and organization against the police regime and censorship of the Supreme Leader regime (theocratic regime).”

Bloggers in Iran should take care to hide their identities when posting politically charged content, especially content which is aimed at a wider international audience or meant to motivate political change. The use of proxy services and anonymous accounts and computers that are not linked to the blogger has proven vital in keeping people out of harm’s way.