Technology

An American company specializing in internet search and web advertising recently released a tool that translates internet blogs, news articles and text messages from English to Persia and then from Persia to English. This technology was developed in the wake of the chaos and restrictions media personnel have been facing in reporting the bit by bit follow up on Irans disputed election.

The principal scientist heading Googles translation group, Franz Och, was interviewed by Reuters and he opined that with the controversial election going on in Iran, rolling out this product in time to solve the inability for people within and outside Iran to communicate and access relevant information was according to him a natural idea

This latest feat by Google represents the important role that technology is now playing in the advent of the disheartening political unrest taking place in Iran and unmatched since three decades.

Ever since the official result of the recently concluded presidential election was announced, which declared a decisive victory for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran-which is worlds 5th largest oil exporter has been bedeviled by repeated violent protests. Why Because, supporters of the opposition candidate, Mirhossein Mousavi are of the opinion that the election was rigged.

Interestingly, both foreign journalists and Supporters of Mousavi barred from covering or staging street demonstrations have resorted to online communication tools like You Tube (acquired by Google in 2006), Facebook, and Twitter to disseminate information and organize rallies respectively.