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Implicit Defense of the Media System Organization by Government Spokesman

Jan 27, 2026 January 27, 2026 3 min read 📰 Radio Farda
📋 Key Takeaway

The Iranian government is attempting to establish a 'Media System Organization' that critics argue will severely restrict journalistic freedom. Government spokesman Mohammad Baqer Nobakht defended the initiative as a means to implement citizens' rights. This development is significant as it reflects ongoing tensions between state control and media independence in Iran.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The proposed Media System Organization reflects the Iranian government's ongoing efforts to control media narratives amidst rising criticism from journalists.

👥 Key Players

Hassan Rouhani MENTIONED
President of Iran
"As the head of the government, Rouhani's administration is responsible for proposing and defending policies that affect civil liberties, including media freedom."
Mohammad Baqer Nobakht MENTIONED
Government Spokesman
"He articulates the government's position and defends initiatives like the Media System Organization, influencing public perception and media discourse."
Iranian journalists and media professionals MENTIONED
Stakeholders affected by media policies
"Their freedom and ability to operate are directly impacted by government regulations, making them critical voices in the debate over media rights."

📰 What Happened

The Iranian government is reviewing a controversial bill to establish a 'Media System Organization' that critics argue would limit journalistic freedom. Government spokesman Mohammad Baqer Nobakht defended the initiative as a means to uphold citizens' rights amidst widespread criticism.

  • The bill would require journalists to obtain a government license to work.
  • Critics claim the bill would legalize censorship and restrict media independence.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: This issue highlights the struggle for media freedom in Iran, where government control is often prioritized over journalistic independence.
🌍 Regional: In a region where media freedom is limited, Iran's approach may influence neighboring countries facing similar issues.
🌐 International: Western nations often criticize Iran for its lack of press freedom, and developments like this could affect diplomatic relations.

📚 Background

Iran has a history of restricting media freedoms, with journalists often facing censorship and legal repercussions. The proposed bill is seen as a continuation of this trend.

Press freedom in Iran Government censorship and media control
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
The article reflects the government's perspective, which may downplay the negative implications of the proposed media regulations.

In response to a wave of criticism regarding efforts to establish an organization called the 'Media System Organization', the spokesman for President Hassan Rouhani's government on Tuesday implicitly defended these efforts, describing the organization as one of the institutions 'to implement citizens' rights'. The Islamic Republic's cabinet began reviewing a bill titled 'Islamic Republic Media System' in the first week of this month, November, and approved some of its provisions, which some legal experts and media professionals believe will completely strip Iranian journalists of their freedom. If approved, the media system bill would require journalists to obtain a journalism license from government authorities, meaning that a journalist without this license would not be able to work in official organizations and the public sphere. Additionally, if a media crime occurs, if the content belongs to someone without a journalism license, the author of the content would be tried in a public court without the presence of a jury. Other criticisms of the bill include 'legalizing threats and censorship of the media', 'the possibility of government intervention in the professional and working affairs of media and journalists', and 'the non-recognition of journalists' legal rights'. Nevertheless, the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) reported on Wednesday, November 3, that the review of this bill had begun with the aim of 'supporting the rights and legitimate freedoms of media activists and public media'. However, the attempt to establish this organization sparked a wave of criticism from media professionals in Iran and some legal experts, leading the cabinet to not approve the bill and return it to the government's cultural commission for further review. In its last meeting on Wednesday of last week, the cabinet returned the draft bill for the establishment of the Media System Organization to the cultural commission for corrections. Nevertheless, on Tuesday, November 16, the spokesman for Hassan Rouhani's government defended the establishment of this organization, describing the government's efforts in this regard as 'within the framework of the citizens' rights charter'. According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), quoting Mohammad Baqer Nobakht, the government spokesman who spoke with reporters on Tuesday, the establishment of this organization is 'to implement citizens' rights and guide the executive personnel involved in media issues, which is the government's action to consolidate this institution'. Mr. Nobakht concluded by saying, 'The view of all ministers is also to strengthen the position of the media organization, and we ask all media professionals to reflect their suggestions for enhancing this organization.'

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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