Why exactly does anyone need the New York Times when the protesters are able to get their information out via alternative sources like Facebook and Twitter?
The Times is relying on these sources like everyone else because the regime is busy thwarting media outlets from reporting, and has attempted to do the same to Facebook, Twitter, and other online outlets with little success.
So, while there are concerns over the reliability of Twitter, Facebook, and other online sources, they remain the only way anyone knows what's really going on inside Iran.
That's both exhilarating and troubling since people are showing their resourcefulness to get news out but it means that rumors will often go unchallenged for days and misconceptions about events.
What is troubling is that several bloggers operating inside Iran are silent this morning, which is a first since the crisis began a week ago.
The 4pm local time rally means that it should be underway in Tehran (7am EDT).
The fact that the Iranian Guardian Council is offering a recount of 10% of the vote is meaningless at this point. That would be insufficient to deter Mousavi's opponents, and would do nothing to assuage Iranians that the election results were legitimate.
Iranian media reports that Mousavi and the other defeated candidates were offered to appear before the Guardian Council to discuss their complaints, but Mousavi declined to show.
So far, no photos of the demonstrations have been uploaded to Flickr or video posted to YouTube or LiveLeak. When they do, I'll post.
UPDATE:
Twitter is abuzz with postings from Iran claiming that the Basiji have been busy intimidating protesters and invading homes in Isfahan.
The BBC has increased the number of satellites used to thwart Iranian efforts to jam signals.
The Guardian's live coverage is superior to those of other outlets, but they too are relying on second and third hand information:
1.25pm:
The entrance to Tehran's Revolution Square, is blocked by fire engines, according to AP. It also reports that riot police have surrounded Tehran University.
Several unconfirmed tweets claim that protesters have clashed with the police. Some claim the police have used batons.
1.10pm:
The BBC's Jon Leyne, in Tehran, admitted on the World Service that he cannot tell if the rally is actually happening, because of the restrictions on reporting. The Guardian's reporters in Iran are in no position to comment either.
1pm:
An unconfirmed Tweet from a usually reliable source says Mousavi is walking from his Ettelaat office to the Ministry of Interior and that 10,000 people are with him.
Photos, claimed to be taken today, show several rows of riot police.
The BBC says its witness have seen hundreds of riot police in Enghelab Square.
Al-Jazeera also reports a heavy police presence, but points out that it is difficult to verify because phones are jammed.
Photos allegedly of the Basiji and police preparing for the demonstrations:
UPDATE:
Twitterings reporting large crowds, and police to match.
UPDATE:
Tweet Grid is one way to try and keep up with the deluge of information.
UPDATE:
Multiple reports claiming that tear gas is being used to disperse protesters. Reports coming via AP and al Jazeera.
UPDATE:
Multiple reports of gunfire as well, no word on injuries, but I'm sure that reports will begin filtering in as to such injuries.
There's also a so-far unconfirmed report that there was a bomb blast at a mosque where Ali Khamenei preaches.
UPDATE:
Nothing official on the reported bomb blast at the Khomenei mosque, but it could have been the government itself using the incident as a pretext to crack down hard against Mousavi's supporters with extreme prejudice. With such a lack of reliable information, anything is possible. Stay tuned.
UPDATE:
A bomb blast has been confirmed at Khomeni square. No word on injuries, but Iran state TV apparently set up cameras to tape before blast occurred. That's likely a coincidence.
This video claims to have been taken today:
UPDATE:
More video via BBC.
UPDATE:
More video and information (in French). The videos are pretty self-explanatory.
UPDATE:
UPDATE:
Is this Iran's Tiananmen Square moment?
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