Iran warns local media not to report on sanctions impact
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 11 July 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iran warns local media not to report on sanctions impact, 11 July 2012, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/50002545c.html [accessed 25 May 2013] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 11, 2012
Culture Minister Mohammad Hosseini has called on Iran's media to avoid reporting on the impact of international sanctions that could harm national interests.
In comments published on a government website, Hosseini was quoted as saying that the tightening of sanctions requires "more cooperation by the media so the country is not hurt."
His statement is a rare official acknowledgement of efforts to control information about possible economic hardships from the international sanctions over Iran's sensitive nuclear work.
Hosseini's warning comes days after the European Union imposed an embargo on Iran's vital oil sector.
Those sanctions are in addition to existing U.S.-led financial restrictions on Iran.
Traditional and online media are closely watched and censored in Iran
Khamenei: Iran 'Vaccinated' By West
Earlier, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed the tougher new sanctions and said Iran had become immune.
Khamenei said Western countries "vaccinated" Iran against sanctions through the measures they've adopted in the past 30 years.
Khamenei said Iran has stood up against "all the conspiracies and sanctions" and is now "100 percent stronger" than 30 years ago.
Iranian officials regularly shrug off the effect of sanctions but economists say the sanctions, in combination with unemployment and rising inflation, have created tough new challenges for the Iranian establishment.
Based on reporting by Dolat.ir, AP, AFP, Fars, Reuters, and Bloomberg
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
