OJR: Iranian Journalist Credits Blogs for Playing Key Role in His Release From Prison

In the case of jailed Iranian journalist and blogger Sina Motallebi, the Iranian and American blogospheres came together to get publicity and thousands of signatures on an online petition. There can be no denying that publicity in blogs can have political impact according to Mark Glaser, writing in Online Journalism Review.

Motallebi, 30, was released after 23 days in prison. He told Glaser that the publicity helped his cause and woke up the Iranian government to a movement of bloggers in their country and abroad that would not back down when he was threatened. Because of pressure from bloggers and other media, Motabelli said, "I think they found the cost of arresting me more than they thought before."