What would we hear of Iran without online video?

Mashable has a collection of 10 citizen videos from the Iran protests that show how important online video has become for showing things the government would prefer to hide. Social media in general has been indispensable for the protesters who want the world to know what’s happening to them. But online video: This is how they can make the video CARE about what’s happening to them.

Years ago, this wouldn’t have been possible. First, we needed wide-spread access to affordable camcorders that are easy enough to carry anywhere (smart phones, anyone?). Next, we needed wide-spread Internet technology that allows the majority to watch said videos.

The results of having these things are on perfect display with the citizen coverage from Iran. We get to see the whole truth of what’s happening. Sometimes, the truth is gut wrenching, which the Mashable article addressed:

- Social media is raw, and that YouTube allows you to get the uncensored version of things. We cannot be blind to that fact.

- This is, in my mind, the most incredible of all the videos coming out of Iran.

- Sometimes, you have to see everything to really understand what’s going on. Things are very, very bad in Iran, period.

Link via Cyberjournalist.

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What would we hear of Iran without online video?