COMMUNICATION WAR ESCALATES

The communication battle between the regime and the oppostion now encompasses both the old and new media. Indeed, the old media is more and more depeneded on the new. CNN is doing a great job and BBC is trying. It reports that the accurate coverage of the ongoing protest is becoming more and more restricted.

Severe reporting restrictions placed on the BBC and other foreign media in Iran mean protest reports cannot be verified independently.

The BBC's permanent correspondent in Iran, Jon Leyne, was asked to leave the country on Sunday. . . .

Behrooz, student in Tehran, speaking to the BBC News website

"There are lots of people but they are scattered, and lots of police guards.

"They are firing bullets in the air and using tear gas against the crowds. It's a very dangerous situation but our brave people are still here in the streets."

An eyewitness living close to the square told the BBC News website he had seen riot police"on every corner and by every set of traffic lights" as he drove home on Monday. . . .

"Be prepared for a resolution and revolutionary confrontation with the Guards, Basij [pro-government militia] and other security forces and disciplinary forces," they said. . . .

One regular protester, 20-year-old student Behrooz, told the BBC that protesters were aware their electronic communications were being monitored.

"We know that some of them are tracking us on our phone," he said."When we say certain words... such as 'supreme leader' or 'demonstration' our lines are cut."

Mobile calls were being blocked in the evenings and phones would not work in areas where people were demonstrating, he said.

Twitterers also claim to be monitored:

Please Do Not Respond/Follow New Twitters. Iran Secret Police Is Cracking Down. #IranElection Tehran Iran Neda #GR88

Please Delete All Old Comments/Postings That Would Implicate Others #IranElection Tehran Iran Neda #GR88 Please RT

The WSJ argues that Iran's Web Spying Aided By Western Technology European Gear Used in Vast Effort to Monitor Communications. Specifically, it blames NOKIA/SIEMENS.

NOKIA/SIEMENS denies the charge. It merely treated Iran like a"normal" country. Those advocating moral equivalency like our president are having a rude awakening as reality strikes again.

GOOGLE is trying to improve it's battered image by acceding to requests that it update it's sattelite imagery of Tehran. It should make it possible to see large demonstrations.

YOUTUBE is also helping with Iranian posts. Nick Pitny continues his excellent live blogging.