Iran vows to rein in media in new morality clampdown


Iran's "culture" ministry has since the rise of Ahmedinajad been engaged in crushing even moderate news agencies. Iran now seems to be sinking back into the dark days of the early Islamic republic. The real wicked manifestions in Iranian society lie in the culture of conformity and hatred indoctrinated by the ruling elite. Imposing arbitrary standards set by a group of old priests and centuries old scriptures is not morality but the mortality of humanity. Morality arises not from dusty scriptures but from the awakening of the human heart to the yearning for justice. Certainly western corporate psuedo-culture is a danger for Iran as it is for all countries, but the entombment of the human spirit in the coffin of the shariah is an even greater danger.--WPA


11 Aug 2006

TEHRAN, Aug 11, 2006 (AFP) - Iran's conservative Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Mohammad-Hossein Saffar-Harandi vowed Friday to rein in the media as part of a new clampdown on "wicked manifestations in society".

The minister said there too many domestic news agencies in the Islamic republic and that their number needed to be reined in to create more quality and less quantity of news output.

He said 11 news agencies were already operating with his ministry's authorization and another eight were awaiting permits. A further 50 to 60 had also submitted applications to the ministry, he added.

"I have no choice but to restrict the extent of these things, when the investment has been more in quantity than quality," he said.

Saffar-Harandi said the move would be part of a wider campaign to revive the values of the Islamic revolution in cultural life.

"Unfortunately, we witness inappropriate and wicked manifestations in society today ... But now, you have my word that we will purify the cultural atmosphere," he said in a speech carried live by state radio.

"In the near future, we will not witness an unhealthy cultural product among books, movies, shows, music, etc."

In a bid to combat the "cultural invasion of the West", Iran has long imposed a widely flouted ban on satellite dishes.

Production of music, films and books are also subject to supervision by Saffar-Harandi's ministry.

And since 2000, the hardline judiciary has clamped down on the reformist press, shutting down scores of titles and detaining dozens of journalists.


Last Updated August 16, 2006 5:43 AM
Amazon Honor System Click Here to Pay Learn More

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and
do not necessarily reflect those of the World Prout Assembly.

The World Prout Assembly is a non-profit organization affiliated with
Proutist Universal Global Headquarters, Kolkata, India.