We live in an exciting time. Technology is growing fast beyond anyone's control. No one can predict how the technology will evolve over the next decade. Most of all how Internet as an interactive mass media will be shaped. But everyone agrees that it will be one of the most effective means of global communication.

To fully understand and utilize Internet as a mass media, the Online community will have to experiment different formats and presentation techniques. Unlike traditional media, the viewers can become active participants in this process. Open, uncontrolled, un-monitored and un-filtered format becomes the predominant means of communication for this new mass media. Many believe that the Internet experiment will result in a very different entity than the mass media as we know it today. Fortunately, the Iranian community will be at the forefront of this experiment. There are currently a number of sites that are either sponsored by government, political organizations, entrepreneurs and individuals who are working hard and offering their services to the Iranian community. The people behind these on-line services come from different backgrounds and are using various approaches to the on-line publishing. We are confident that a number of these services will be successful in their endeavors. However, This time around, you the viewers have the opportunity to shape and form these services to your liking. It is the responsibility of viewers to guide and direct the publishers and effectively participate in this process.

The effect of Internet becomes more profound as it finds its way from the desk of professionals to the television screen in the living room. It then becomes an integral part of everyday entertainment and the primary source of information for the inquisitive mind. In some parts of Europe and U.S. this is already well underway. Cable and phone companies are all competing with one another to be the provider of this technology. They have all recognized the potentials of Internet and want to position themselves to profit from it.

The Iranian community will need to continue its participation in the Internet experiment in a systematic manner. This participation should be interwoven with an honest understanding of the needs of our people inside and outside of Iran.

Iran Online