Iran pushes bill to criminalize journalists’ communication with ‘hostile media’
DUBAI — Iran’s parliament approved a bill on Sunday that would criminalize interviews and other communications with media deemed hostile to the Islamic Republic, including US or Israeli media and outlets financed by either country, Iran’s Shargh newspaper reported.Under the bill, which must still be reviewed by the Guardian Council before it can become law, interviews or participation in discussions with such media would be banned and violations punishable by six months to two years in prison.Interviews with other foreign media would require notification to the intelligence ministry, while contact with foreign embassies, offices of foreign organizations or other non-Iranian institutions without notification and written permission from the foreign ministry would be punishable by a fine and deprivation of certain social rights.The bill would also harden penalties for economic crimes committed under the direction or supervision of foreigners, ban providing information to foreigners without intelligence ministry approval, and restrict scientific…
Iran's parliament has approved a bill that would criminalize communication with media outlets deemed hostile to the Islamic Republic, including US or Israeli media. Violations, such as interviews or participation in discussions, could result in six months to two years in prison. The bill also mandates intelligence ministry notification for contact with other foreign media and requires foreign ministry permission for interactions with foreign embassies or organizations.
- The legislation would also increase penalties for economic crimes directed by foreigners and restrict scientific cooperation.
- Policy proposals influenced by foreign intelligence services that harm Iran's security could lead to up to 30 years in prison.
- Award-winning photojournalist Yalda Moaiery was recently sentenced in absentia to 15 years under a similar 2025 law for allegedly providing photographs to US and Israel-linked organizations and giving interviews to hostile media.
- Moaiery stated, "None of these sentences, however, has ever caused me to abandon my path, even for a moment. I have continued to document and show the realities of Iranian society."
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