Andrew Saul, CEO of Genovation Inc., recently completed a three-week, eight-city speaking tour of Australia and New Zealand on "Entrepreneurship and Renewable Energy," as part of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP). Genovation is a Rockville, Md.-based designer and custom builder of environmentally friendly automobiles.

The US has eased restrictions on the sale of mobile phones and other communications devices, software and services to Iranians.The move is intended to promote Iranians' political freedom, countering what the US describes as Tehran's efforts to "silence its people".

As members of the media are taking to social media channels to deliver important news in real time, a growing number of governments (from municipal to federal) are increasing their engagement as well. Many government institutions are looking to effectively and securely execute their social media strategies.

Canada is seeking to restore diplomatic relations with Iran — but not the old-fashioned way. Instead of ambassadors and attaches, the Foreign Affairs Department is aiming to connect with Iranians directly, via social media. They're working with the University of Toronto's Munk School to host two days of discussions that will be live-streamed online in the hopes of reaching and inspiring Iranians ahead of June's presidential elections.

Because media freedom can best be advanced by partnerships between government and civil society groups, this year Human Rights First is delighted to join with the State Department in hosting this event. Human Rights First has a long record of defending free expression. Since our founding, we have helped arrange pro bono legal counsel and other assistance for more than 150 media people who have found themselves in the United States and unable to return safely to their home countries.