In a move aimed at further restricting media activities within its borders, the clerical regime in Iran has recently implemented new regulations governing the operations of foreign media representatives, journalists, and media activists. The regulations, announced by Mohammad Mokhber, Vice President to Ebrahim Raisi, stipulate that any media activities undertaken by these groups within Iran must receive approval and oversight from the Ministry of Intelligence and Information (MOIS) and the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
In Clause 1 of the decree titled “Regulations for Issuing Permits, Dissolution, and Supervision of Foreign Media Representatives, Journalists, and Media Activists,” it is stated, “Upon reviewing the media records of the applicant, Iranian embassies or consulates abroad shall notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within ten working days, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall forward the applicant’s request along with its opinion to the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance within five working days. Subsequently, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, after obtaining the opinion of the Ministry of Intelligence and the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which must be communicated to this ministry within (30) working days, will take action. In case of disagreement between the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC’s Intelligence Organization, the opinion of the authority that dissents will be the criterion for action.”
Furthermore, the decree adds in Clause 2, “After receiving opinions and examining the nature of the media activity and ownership, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance evaluates the positions regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic world, as well as the non-allegiance and non-dependence on the Zionist regime. Upon agreement (in the absence of objection from the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC’s Intelligence Organization) or disagreement, the Ministry decides whether to issue a permit for the establishment of a foreign media office in the country.”
#Iran News in Brief
Senior Editor at IRIB, unveils systemic censorship issues within the state-controlled media.
Barmak Bayat: "We face obstacles in conveying facts to the people. This is the first time I am saying this, and it might come at a cost. While we were reporting on… pic.twitter.com/G0Rk4axvmI— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 10, 2024
The regulations specify that individuals involved in creating or sharing media content for foreign audiences, including those online, are subject to these laws. Requests for media activities must be sent to the regime’s embassies or consulates abroad, and final approval depends on assessments from the MOIS and the IRGC’s Intelligence Organization. If there’s disagreement, the dissenting authority’s stance decides.
These regulations come at a time when Iranian state media faces international scrutiny, with the regime criticized as one of the world’s most restrictive regimes for media freedom. Since the regime’s establishment, numerous newspapers, magazines, and news websites have been shut down or had their licenses revoked, often citing pressure from security forces or judicial orders. In light of these circumstances, the stricter control over the activities of foreign media outlets and media activists in Iran appears to be a further step towards tightening regulation within the country’s media sphere.
For over four decades, international media correspondents have faced stringent control and covert surveillance by the Iranian regime’s intelligence apparatus. Their ability to operate within Iran is largely contingent on their willingness to provide negative coverage of the Iranian Resistance, let alone any contact with individuals associated with supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) within the country.
Behzad Naziri, a former Iranian journalist who worked for Agence France Presse in Tehran, shared his experience with The New York Times. He recounted how he incurred the regime’s wrath when he chose to challenge the regime’s false narratives about dissent within Iran.
Watch and judge how #censorship is lectured by #Iranian senior officials pic.twitter.com/wnDNLvPmxB
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 13, 2024
