State Department

State Allocates Final $28 Million for Internet Freedom Programs

Lindsy Embree — Thu, 05 May 2011 11:56:06 -0400

Full article: National Journal
Josh Smith
This week, the State Department will tell Congress that it has allocated all of the $50 million appropriated so far for Internet freedom efforts around the world. With the Internet and social-media websites such as Facebook and Twitter often credited for helping to spark the popular revolutions in the Middle East and North Africa, U.S. officials say they are stepping up efforts to keep the Internet open.

U.S. Policy to Address Internet Freedom

Stevie Converse — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 09:07:23 -0500

Full article: New York Times
Mark Landler
Days after Facebook and Twitter added fuel to a revolt in Egypt, the Obama administration plans to announce a new policy on Internet freedom, designed to help people get around barriers in cyberspace while making it harder for autocratic governments to use the same technology to repress dissent.

Spending Bill Funds Web Freedom Work

Stevie Converse — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:10:27 -0400

Full article: National Journal
Andrew Noyes
Sens. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) and Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) secured $30 million in federal funding for the State Department's efforts to promote Internet freedom as part of the agency's fiscal year 2010 spending bill.

Twitter Is a Player in Iran's Drama

Lindsy Embree — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:56:22 -0400

Full article: Washington Post
Mike Musgrove
The State Department asked Twitter to delay scheduled maintenance to avoid disrupting communications among Iranian citizens as they took to the streets to protest the reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The move illustrates the growing influence of online social networking services as communications media.

State Department speaks to Twitter over Iran

Lindsy Embree — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:43:59 -0400

Full article: Reuters
Sue Pleming
The State Department said it had contacted the social networking service Twitter to urge it to delay a planned upgrade that would have cut daytime service to Iranians who are disputing their election.

What I Did on My Iraqi Vacation

Stevie Converse — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:08:40 -0400

Full article: Tech President
Nancy Scola
A State Department trip to Iran brought together that country's top officials with representatives from a handful of U.S. Web 2.0 companies. The all-male American delegation met with Iraqi groups that included several women for discussions about developing a stronger civil society.