"The kind of freedom some people expect
shall not exist"
Abrar January 3, 1998 - Mohajerani, the government
spokesman and minister of Islamic Orientation told a meeting of some theater
professionals: Because of my responsibility, the kind of freedom some people
expect shall not exist. He went on to say: I am in charge of censorship
in the Ministry of Orientation and I will certainly not allow the performance
of the plays with contents contrary to the principles of religious thought
or incompatible with the people's religious thought or their revolution.
Whenever you notice a play of yours is rejected, I assume the responsibility
for that rejection.
113 complaints brought against 48 managing directors
Ressalat, February 15, 1998 - The first session
of the Press Court will be held, in presence of the new Jury members, on
Monday Feb. 16th on the premises of the 24th Branch of Tehran's Public
Court. The court will examine the suit filed against managing directors
of Iran-e-Farda monthly and the daily Akhbar. There are presently 113 complaints
brought against 48 managing directors of various publications.
Editor sentenced to one year in prison
Jame'eh , February 16, 1998 - Upon a verdict
by the Special Clerics' Court, Hojat-ol Eslam Abolfazl Moussavian, editor
of " Nameyeh Mofid " publication was sentenced to one year in prison on
the charges of publishing and propagating false information.
Ban on the publication of a book
Jame'eh, February 24, 1988 -Minister Atta'ollah
Mohajerani issued an order to ban the publication of the book "Sangi bar
Gour" (Tomb stone), by Jalal Al-Ahmad. Apparently, the person who issued
the permit was reprimanded."... Mohajerani has also state his opposition
to the publication of the book "Decameroneh" by Mohammad Qazi. Ataollah
Mohajerani : It seems the official who had authorized the printing of the
book, has been formally reprimanded. Thus, if the book is to be banned,
there will be no choice but to process the copies into paper paste.
"We will ban publications who intend to take advantage of the open environment"
Ressalat, February 19, 1998 -Mohajerani, the
government spokesman and minister of Islamic Guidance, said: I accept that
after the elections and the formation of a new government, some believed
that we are intent on creating a limitless open environment. Some publications
such as Fakour took advantage of this illusion. But, given the means at
the disposal of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, we will not
allow such ideas to take shape in society and will make it clear to the
people that we have no such intentions and that we will ban publications
who intend to take advantage of the open environment.
Guilty of publishing "false news"
Reuters, March 5, 1998 - Iranian journalist
Akbar Ganji was sentenced to one year in prison after being found guilty
of publishing "false news", a court said on Thursday. Ganji has denied
the charges and demanded a jury trial which would be open to the public.
Press law amendment bill
Zanan, Magazine, May 1998 - The press law amendment
bill - Item 5 : Using women as objects in image and in substance, debasing
and insulting the female sex, encouraging pomp and luxury, creating conflict
between men and women by defending women's rights outside religious and
legal standards.
"We should not allow what is misleading or corruptive
to enter the market"
Salam, May 27, 1998 the leader Ayatollah Khamen'i's
comments: We should not take the book production lightly. I have always
reminded those in charge of cultural issues, and I repeat that we should
know that a government is also held responsible for the state of mind of
the people, as well as their well being, their economy, their politics,
their culture, education, etc. We should not allow what is misleading or
what is corruptive to enter the market, to enter the scene. This is our
duty. In the political arena as well, if we imagine that there is a book
containing lies in a manner which misleads the people, and it is not possible
to respond swiftly to these lies, then it should be banned. This is a yardstick.
"We would stand up to the publications abusing the liberty"
Ressalat, June 7, 1998 - Dr. Mohajerani, Minister
of Culture and Islamic Guidance: We would stand up to the publications
abusing the liberty. we should all be most sensitive to issues concerning
our religious identity and the revolution's principles and values.
Iranian appeals court bans reformist newspaper
Reuters, July 25, 1998 - An Iranian appeals
court has banned a leading reformist newspaper which rocketed to popularity
in its first year with daring reports. "The public relations of Tehran
judiciary announced that the appeal court has confirmed the verdict of
the Press Court regarding Jameah," the official IRNA news agency said on
Saturday.
Iranian magazine chief detained for insulting Khomeini
AFP, July 29, 1998 - Mohammad-Reza Zaehri,
a conservative cleric who heads the weekly Khaneh, was detained for "offending
Islam, the Shiite clergy and Imam Khomeini and for publishing photohgraphs
which violate public modesty," justice ministry spokesman Nobari said.
Islamic militants beat AP reporters outside liberal
Iran paper
AP, August 1, 1998 - Islamic militants Saturday
attacked and beat two Associated Press reporters outside the offices of
a liberal newspaper that has been targeted by Iran's hard-line clergy and
their supporters.