Pressure on the media in Iran intensified shortly after the 1979 revolution, beginning with the shutdown of the “Ayandegan” newspaper, the seizure of major newspapers “Kayhan” and “Ettela’at”, and the persecution of numerous journalists through imprisonment and execution. In the aftermath of the revolution, Khomeini’s supporters targeted many independent magazines and newspaper establishments, leading to their closures. At the time, there was no legal basis for these press restrictions. However, the Islamic Republic later implemented laws to formalize censorship and restrict the issuance of licenses for independent media outlets.
The “Press Law” of the Islamic Republic, enacted in 1986, saw amendments in 1999 and 2017. These changes further tightened the media landscape, placing significant constraints on journalists.
In Iran, truly independent media outlets are virtually non-existent. The proprietors and senior editors of what are labeled as “independent media” often have affiliations with different factions of the Islamic Republic’s government and institutions. As a consequence, while some media entities might seem independent at first glance, they often toe specific political lines set by the regime. Journalists who overstep these boundaries risk severe repercussions, including imprisonment, torture, and, in extreme cases, execution.
The Iranian government’s vigilance also extends to social networks. Bodies such as the Supreme Council of Cyberspace, established in 2011, aim to inhibit both journalists and the broader public from using these platforms freely for expression. This restrictive approach to cyberspace underscores the government’s overarching objective to maintain a stranglehold on all forms of communicative information dissemination. Despite the formidable challenges and hurdles facing them, some Iranian journalists remain undeterred, bravely upholding their commitment to their profession.