Media Dispute Escalates; 'Farhikhtegan' Critiques Government Ineptitude; 'Iran' Newspaper Highlights Salary Slip at Azad University

The Farhikhtegan newspaper, affiliated with Azad University, has adopted a critical approach towards the government's performance, publishing reports in recent months about the 'ineptitude of the government' in various sectors. In response, the government-affiliated Iran newspaper has reported on the multi-million salary slip of the president of this university. The government’s media outlet stated that following the death of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and significant managerial changes at the university, it was expected that transparency and changes in laws and regulations aimed at creating justice and combating corruption would be prioritized by the new managers. However, it seems that the lack of transparency, monitoring, and accountability has also pleased the new managers. In August 2020, when Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi was the president of Azad University, the publication of his salary slip amounting to about 45 million tomans per month caused a major uproar. The Iran newspaper, revisiting that incident, complained about the ongoing 'lack of transparency, especially in financial matters at Azad University.' Citing the absence of oversight over Azad University, the Iran newspaper emphasized that this university is 'an ostrich that takes the form of either animal wherever profit dictates.' The article stated, 'As its name suggests, the officials of this university want to be free in every respect.' In this report, Iran called for Azad University to become accountable and subject to oversight. On the other hand, Farhikhtegan, which directly critiques the government, published an article on August 5, stating, 'Lift the house arrest on the government.' Earlier in July, this newspaper criticized government media, stating, 'We inherited a ruin,' a phrase that is 'almost common in the rhetoric of various governments. However, the government’s media team should seriously consider how excessive focus on this issue and neglect of a proactive perspective affects public opinion.' Farhikhtegan even interviewed Ahmad Alamolhoda, the Friday prayer leader of Mashhad and father-in-law of Ebrahim Raisi, who was quoted saying, 'I also have criticisms of the thirteenth government.' The increase in criticism of Raisi's government; media: 'A regression to the past' accompanied by a severe decline in public services. Raisi's assistant: 'I was not allowed to attend the trial of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi.' The latest changes in the 'Hijab and Chastity' bill; the return of 'Guidance Patrol,' a new day, a day of renewal. Government officials are thinking about parliamentary seats; media: electoral promises remain unfulfilled.