Iran seeks to criminalise all contact with foreign media in latest ‘chilling’ crackdown
Summary
Iran is working on a law to make it illegal to communicate with foreign media without government permission. This law could punish people with jail time for sharing information or talking to international audiences, affecting journalists, researchers, and ordinary citizens.Key Facts
- Iranian lawmakers are discussing a bill to criminalize contact with foreign media.
- The law would require people to inform Iran’s intelligence ministry before talking to any foreign media.
- Violators could face six months to two years in prison.
- Social media platforms seen as funded by foreign countries, like Instagram and X, would also be restricted.
- Yalda Moaiery, an Iranian photojournalist, was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison for her work covering conflicts involving Iran.
- Human rights groups warn the law could isolate Iran from the world and limit the free flow of information.
- The law may punish ordinary people, not just journalists, and threaten academic and civic engagement.
- Experts compare the potential impact of this law to the extreme isolation seen in North Korea.
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