‘Women, Life, Freedom’. Unveiling Voices: An Empirical Research of Civil Reporting on Instagram in the Iranian Revolution

Abstract: The rise of global social media platforms has offered civilians opportunities to share information through the use of visuals and text independently. The internet and technological advancements have thereby played an essential role in enabling individuals to share their perspectives and contribute their content to broader audiences. As a consequence of the Iranian revolution, triggered by the execution of Mahsa Amini on the 16th of September 2022, affected individuals have increasingly turned to global social media platforms, such as Instagram, to share their narratives internationally. Despite facing limitations on freedom of expression, these people utilize social media to shed light on their stories, raise awareness, garner support, and attract attention from abroad. This research explores the role of civil reporting on Instagram in the ongoing Iranian Revolution, examining the narratives involved and analyzing the situation from a postcolonial feminist perspective. Drawing inspiration from Fairclough’s language theory, the study applies discourse analysis to facilitate an in-depth investigation of 16 Instagram accounts regarding the revolution and explore how their content intersects with social synergies.