Committee to Protect Journalistshttps://cpj.org/x/3694
Support CPJ

Alerts   |   Iran

Iran shuts another reformist newspaper

New York, December 8, 2009—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Iranian authorities’ decision on Monday to shut the reformist daily Hayate No. The Press Supervisory Board revoked the license of the Tehran-based daily Hayate No “for working outside the regulations,” according to local news reports, but the agency provided no details of the alleged violations.

Hayate No is considered supportive of defeated presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi. Its closing came the same day that thousands of Mousavi supporters demonstrated on university campuses in Tehran and nationwide.

“It can be no coincidence that on the day student protesters take to the streets, the government muzzles yet another reformist newspaper,” said CPJ Deputy Director Robert Mahoney. “Since the disputed presidential election in June, journalists have been censored, harassed and imprisoned. Iran now holds the dubious distinction of being second only to China as a jailer of journalists.”

Six months after the elections, Iranian authorities continue to crack down on opposition and independent media. CPJ has documented a number of cases in which authorities have shut down newspapers, blocked Web sites, and arrested journalists. Twenty-three journalists remain in Iranian prisons, according to CPJ research.

Tags
Published

Like this article? Support our work

Related Stories

Do you believe the free flow of information must be protected? Sign the #RightToReport petition and demand that President Obama immediately:

1. Issue a presidential policy directive prohibiting the hacking and surveillance of journalists and media organizations.

2. Limit aggressive prosecutions that ensnare journalists and intimidate whistleblowers.

3. Prevent the harassment of journalists at the U.S. border.

Or click here to see the full petition, and join leading journalists like Christiane Amanpour, The Guardian’s Alan Rusbridger, Editor of the AP Kathleen Carroll, and Arianna Huffington in signing on.