Rouhani Criticizes Media Restrictions: Security Is Not Maintained Only with Missiles and Tanks

Hassan Rouhani, the President, criticized the existing restrictions against media in Iran on Saturday, stating that mouths should not be silenced with "false excuses," and that "nothing can be done with a broken pen and a sealed mouth" and "security is not maintained only with guns." Rouhani also lamented that "information rent is a plague for the country." According to reports from ISNA and IRNA on Saturday, November 6, Rouhani made these remarks during the inauguration of the 22nd Press Exhibition, adding that pens should not be broken under "false pretenses." He posed the question, "Can anything be done with a broken pen and a sealed mouth?" and said, "Let there be freedom in this society, and let freedom be responsible." In another part of his speech, he introduced the people as the "main owners of the country" and added, "What right do we have to say whether we want the virtual space or not, as if we have forgotten that everything comes out of the ballot box." The President noted that the people of this country have become accustomed to the media, but "some do not allow the media to flourish and do their work." Rouhani did not name these individuals, groups, or institutions, but announced that "the government is drafting a media system" and that "many violations should be addressed within that media system and do not belong in court." He added, "The press law needs necessary changes, which we are currently reviewing in the government, and if we complete it, we will send it to the parliament." The Iranian executive head also deemed "information rent a major plague in the country" and said, "The file is still in the hands of the investigator; the judge and prosecutor are unaware, but this person knows; I don’t know if they are jinn? How do they know and how are they connected?" Rouhani continued, "How does a newspaper know about a case before the head of that branch? Information rent is a plague for our society. Of course, the people understand well, and I am glad that the people respond correctly. They are aware of the matters." It seems his reference is to those conservative newspapers and media that have published some documents related to ongoing cases in the judiciary over the past three years. In another part of his speech, the head of the Supreme National Security Council addressed the issue of security in Iran, saying, "Some think our security is maintained only with missiles, tanks, and airplanes." He has previously made similar statements, which have drawn sharp criticism from conservative elements of the Islamic Republic, and thus, it is likely that his remarks on Saturday will also not go unanswered from the other side. He added, "We want military power and diplomatic power to maintain security, but let us remember that insecurity in our region cannot be solved only with weapons and diplomacy." These remarks by Rouhani are a response to the positions of conservative critics of the eleventh government, especially a group of Revolutionary Guards commanders who have referred to the Islamic Republic's "military power" as the sole factor for Iran's "success" in the region and the world in recent years. Hassan Rouhani also addressed critics of the JCPOA agreement, stating that we must utilize the "new era of post-JCPOA and post-sanctions" and that after the signing of the JCPOA, "a healthy atmosphere has been created." In another part of his speech, he spoke of the necessity of unity in Iran, adding, "Anyone who slanders, lies, and shouts is not revolutionary." The Iranian President added, "For me and those like me who have dedicated their youth and existence to the revolution since their adolescence, it is intolerable that some steal the revolution. A person who lies and slanders has no connection to the revolution." Hassan Rouhani, along with a group of other clerics in Iran, has long been accused by some supporters of Ali Khamenei of "deviating" from the principles and ideals of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. Meanwhile, Ali Khamenei has repeatedly spoken of the necessity of using "revolutionary thought" in governing the country since Rouhani took over the executive branch. The Iranian President also noted this issue, saying, "Today, if we can create a job for the youth, we are revolutionary; otherwise, we are not revolutionary. If we have created economic prosperity, we are among the revolutionaries." The head of the executive branch also referred to the issue of sanctions, asking, "Why did we behave in such a way that America and Europe voted for sanctions against us?" He addressed those within Iran who caused these sanctions against the Islamic Republic, saying, "Those who today choose to insult instead of criticize, why did their voices not rise back then? Why did we choose a path that united the whole world against us?" He continued, "We lifted the sanctions, but some are upset and say, 'Why have the sanctions been lifted?' and one is astonished; why is it not understood?" According to Rouhani, they "think that if they say we have succeeded in these years, the government benefits. While this success is for the people. The government has voted, the Supreme National Security Council, the Islamic Consultative Assembly, the Guardian Council has also voted, the leadership has approved, yet I still do not know where the problem lies."