(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the head of the magistracy, Ayatollah Sharoudi , RSF protested the suspension of the weekly film review “Cinema Jahan”. “For two years now, the authorities have been attacking publications of all types, including political, student and film publications,” stated Robert Ménard, the organisation’s secretary-general. “We ask that you reconsider […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the head of the magistracy, Ayatollah Sharoudi , RSF protested the suspension of the weekly film review “Cinema Jahan”. “For two years now, the authorities have been attacking publications of all types, including political, student and film publications,” stated Robert Ménard, the organisation’s secretary-general. “We ask that you reconsider your decision,” he added.
According to information collected by RSF, on 24 January 2002, an Iranian court suspended the weekly film review “Cinema Jahan” (Cinema of the World), after the province of Tehran’s court filed a complaint against the publication. Judge Saïd Mortezavi is currently prosecuting the newspaper’s editor for “slanderous publications disturbing public opinion and generating a tense and insecure climate in the press sector”, “publications contrary to proper conduct” and “misuse of the depiction of women”.
RSF recalls that Iran is the biggest prison for journalists in the Middle East today. Twenty journalists are currently behind bars. Most of them have not been tried after months of imprisonment. According to the vice-minister of Islamic culture and orientation, more than 50 newspapers (including 24 dailies) have been shut down since March 2000, not counting the student press. Islamic Republic Guide Ali Khamenei is included on RSF’s list of international press freedom predators.
