Ali Jannati: Representatives Must Prove Their Claims About Infiltration in Media

Ali Jannati, the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, responded to a warning from 12 representatives of the "Proud Front" in the Islamic Consultative Assembly who claimed that "a group of several hundred Western spies" has infiltrated reformist newspapers and media in Iran. Jannati stated that those making such claims must "prove their allegations." These 12 representatives, who oppose President Hassan Rouhani's government and were former supporters of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, claimed in a written notice published by Fars News Agency on September 21 that Western intelligence services, including those from Britain, the Netherlands, and Norway, are directing a "destructive band of several hundred" within reformist media, which they referred to as "chain newspapers and virtual media." They called for the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Intelligence to take action against this "group" and to send their case to the judiciary. According to Fars News, Jannati responded by saying that those making such claims must provide evidence, as the Ministry of Culture judges based on what is assigned to the Press Supervisory Board by law. He explained that the Press Supervisory Board evaluates the content of websites, publications, and newspapers, and if violations occur, they are dealt with according to specified legal criteria, including insults to sacred beliefs, heretical content, vulgar matters, and violations of public decency. Jannati added that the ministry is unaware if individuals are attempting to overthrow the regime through media channels and that he does not see the behind-the-scenes aspects of these issues. He also stated that while the possibility of infiltrators in government or private sectors cannot be dismissed, it does not mean that a significant portion of active elements in domestic media are connected to foreign entities, which he does not observe. The warning from the 12 representatives came shortly after Ayatollah Khamenei and some IRGC commanders warned that the U.S. and the West intend to "infiltrate" Iran following the nuclear agreement.