THE BLOGGING JOURNALIST

Is Iranian Blogger Hossein Derakhshan a Spy?

On December 3, 2009, Newsweek online published what it called a “Web Exclusive” headlined “The Blogfather and the Spy.” Written by Christopher Dickey, Newsweek’s “Paris Bureau Chief and Middle East Regional Editor,” the post is about “Hossein Derakhshan, the liberal former Iranian blogger and progenitor of Iran's online community.” He “is thought to be aiding the [Iranian] government's crackdown” on Iranian political reformers,” according to Newsweek.

As Global Voices noted on November 2, 2009, “November 1, 2009 was the one-year anniversary” Derakhshan’s arrest. See “Iran: Free Hossein Derakhshan.”

Technorati Tags: Hossein Derakhshan,Iranian Political Trials,The Blogfather and theSpy,Christopher Dickey,Newsweek

UPI: 'DOD May Not Publish Woodward Interviews With Rumsfeld'

United Press International (UPI) reported October 2, 2006, that "The Pentagon has not yet decided whether to publish the transcript of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's interviews" with Washington Post Assistant Managing Editor Bob Woodward, excerpts of which were used in Mr. Woodward's new book, State of Denial: Bush at War Part III.

The book is causing considerable consternation in the White House, State Department and Pentagon, and widespread debate in the traditional media and the blogosphere.

UPI noted that "State of Denial" "alleges there was an effort inside the White House led by Chief of Staff Andy Card and supported by First Lady Laura Bush and soon-to-be Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to force Rumsfeld to resign." See "Bush chief of staff urged Rumsfeld be fired: book. Also see "Andrew Card Responds to Bob Woodward's Claim of Confused, Divided Bush Administration."

To read more of the UPI article, see "DOD may not publish Woodward interviews.

Technorati tags: Donald Rumsfeld, Bob Woodward