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Widespread Dismissal of Journalists from Media Affiliated with Azad University

Jan 27, 2026 January 27, 2026 1 min read 📰 Radio Farda
📋 Key Takeaway

The recent appointment of Ali Akbar Velayati as the head of Azad University has led to significant changes, including the immediate dismissal of three media directors and widespread layoffs of journalists at affiliated outlets. This shift reflects a broader transformation within the university's media landscape following leadership changes.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The restructuring at Azad University signals a significant shift in media control and political influence in Iran.

👥 Key Players

Ali Akbar Velayati MENTIONED
Head of the founding and trustees' board of Azad University
"A prominent figure in Iranian politics, Velayati has significant influence over educational and media institutions in Iran."
Farhad Rahbar MENTIONED
President of Azad University
"As the new president, Rahbar's decisions will shape the direction of the university and its affiliated media."
Hamid Mirzadeh MENTIONED
Former president of Azad University
"His dismissal marks a shift in leadership that can influence university policies and media operations."

📰 What Happened

The election of Ali Akbar Velayati led to significant leadership changes at Azad University, resulting in the dismissal of three media directors and widespread layoffs of journalists at affiliated media outlets.

  • Three directors of Ana News Agency, Iscanews, and Farhikhtegan newspaper were dismissed.
  • The changes reflect a broader transformation in the university's media landscape.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: This shift indicates a tightening control over media narratives and reflects broader political dynamics in Iran.
🌍 Regional: Changes in media control may affect regional perceptions of Iran's political stability and governance.
🌐 International: International observers may view these changes as part of Iran's ongoing struggle with press freedom and political dissent.

📚 Background

Azad University plays a crucial role in Iran's higher education and media landscape, and leadership changes often reflect broader political trends.

Media freedom in Iran Political influence in education
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
This source may reflect the official narrative of the Iranian government, which can impact the portrayal of events.

With the election of Ali Akbar Velayati as the head of the founding and trustees' board of Azad University, a wave of changes and transformations has swept through Azad University. Farhad Rahbar took over the presidency of Azad University after the dismissal of Hamid Mirzadeh, and consequently, a wave of changes reached the media affiliated with Azad University. Three directors of the affiliated media, namely the Ana News Agency, Iscanews, and the Farhikhtegan newspaper, were immediately dismissed, and with the arrival of new managers, the editorial team also underwent changes that resulted in the widespread dismissal of journalists from these media outlets.

🌐

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

Translation confidence: 85%

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