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Iran’s Rouhani defends “freedom of press with responsibility”

Mar 8, 2014 7:14 pm By Robert Spencer

RouhaniThe caveat “with responsibility” means that Rouhani is expecting Iranian media to censor itself, the way that the Western media has learned to do: don’t say anything that crosses the line, and you won’t have any trouble. Sharia blasphemy laws are in force: respect them. Police yourselves; don’t make us have to police you!

“Iran’s Rouhani defends ‘freedom of press with responsibility,'” from AFP, March 8:

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani defended Saturday what he called “freedom of the press with responsibility” and criticised the practice of shutting down offending newspapers.

“The government is in favour of freedom of expression with responsibility,” he said in a vigorously applauded speech to media figures broadcast live on television.

“If we break the pens and shut the mouths, public trust will be deeply harmed.”

There is a long-standing practice in Iran of temporarily shutting down newspapers as punishment for publishing articles deemed offensive to the values of the Islamic republic.

But Rouhani said “shutting down a newspaper should be the last resort not the first. If one violates the law we should deal with him or the managing director of the daily.”

“Why should we shut down the whole newspaper and make a lot of people unemployed,” he asked.

As recently as last month, the judiciary banned a newly launched reformist daily Aseman (Sky) and arrested its managing director over an article deemed insulting to Islamic law. The editor was later freed on bail.

In October, reformist daily Bahar (Spring) was ordered closed over an article seen by critics as questioning the beliefs of Shiite Islam.

Iran’s judiciary system is controlled by conservatives who frequently clash with the government over policies they deem to be too liberal.

Culture Minister Ali Janati recently urged an end to the ban on social media, including Facebook. That and his move to allow the publication of previously banned books has sparked a furore among conservatives.

“Critics and opponents of this government are free and they will remain free, but let the supporters of the government enjoy the same freedom and security,” Rouhani said.

Rouhani, who has the support of reformists and moderates, pledged to work for more social freedom during his election campaign.

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Filed Under: free speech, Iran Tagged With: featured


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Comments

  1. Angemon says

    Mar 8, 2014 at 8:44 pm

    “But Rouhani said “shutting down a newspaper should be the last resort not the first. If one violates the law we should deal with him or the managing director of the daily.””

    “Deal with him”. Nope, not a thinly-disguised threat in any way. On the flip side, by saying “deal with him” he’s implying that female journalists are exempt (i assume he knows there are female journalists in Iran).

  2. Jay Boo says

    Mar 8, 2014 at 9:25 pm

    The dirty little secret

    “Mourning for Children: the Sins of fathers”
    http://www.thetower.org/book-on-president-elects-tragedy-scandalizes-tehran/

  3. citycat says

    Mar 8, 2014 at 10:52 pm

    Islam being moderate doesn’t make unless they are pretending to adapt(anything goes to spread Islam) and lying in wait if that’s called for, and the tide can ebb for a while, while the breeding and creeping continues in full smug smiling arrogance at the idea that it is only a matter of time before the tide of Islam is in full flow again.

    The danger is within already, 24/7, and any respite from Islam is simply pure trickery until their absolute violence can be manifested.

    With Islam it is a war until no more war can be.

    All talk that is contrary to that is pure bull.

    • southeuropean says

      Mar 9, 2014 at 1:10 pm

      Agree on that citycat…Nazzism and communism fell down. Next is Islamofascism.

  4. Salah says

    Mar 9, 2014 at 12:33 am

    “If we break the pens and shut the mouths, public trust will be deeply harmed.”

    And if you don’t, Islam will die. What a dilemma!!!

  5. Steffen Larsen says

    Mar 9, 2014 at 3:31 am

    It is responsible to worry about your own life.

  6. Truth says

    Mar 9, 2014 at 10:08 am

    “with responsibility” = if you say anything against Islam you’ll be quickly killed by Muslims

  7. mortimer says

    Mar 9, 2014 at 11:30 am

    So only Rouhani’s right to free speech is unrestricted. He decides the definition of ‘responsible’.

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