Iran’s proposed media law threatens to turn journalism into a crime

Iran’s proposed media law threatens to turn journalism into a crime

Iranian authorities are moving toward a sweeping new restriction on contact with foreign media, raising fresh concerns that the government is seeking to isolate the country from independent scrutiny and make it increasingly difficult for information about repression to reach the outside world. Iran’s parliament has approved the general framework of a bill that would criminalize communication with foreign media outlets designated by the authoriti…

Everyone Is a Spy: Iran’s New Law Against “Foreign Influence”

Iran’s parliament has approved the general framework of a controversial bill that expands the definition of “foreign influence,” potentially criminalising ordinary forms of contact with foreign media, academic institutions, and international organisations. Iran’s parliament has approved the general framework of a bill titled “Countering the Infiltration of Foreign Intelligence Services and Institutions.” The proposal has triggered widespread con…

Criminalizing Communication with Foreign Media and Entities in Iran: A Legal and Human Rights Assessment

This report examines a bill whose general outlines have been passed by the Iranian Parliament, with the declared objective of “countering the influence of foreign intelligence services, foreign governments, or foreign entities.” Based on information published in domestic media, the bill encompasses the criminalization of contact with foreign media, restrictions on academic and scientific cooperation with overseas institutions, and severe penalti…