Media Analysis

Cartoon Roundup

Media wars between outlets affiliated with Iranian parliament and President Ahmadinejad and the effects of sanctions on the economy are the focus of this week's Cartoon Roundup.

Presidential Elections and media policy: Iran's bipolar approach

In recent months, several reformist papers have been opened and bans lifted on a couple newspapers that had previously been shut down. However, some of these same papers, as well as several others, were the subject of raids and arrests last week. What does this bipolar approach to Iran's media mean in light of the upcoming elections?

Persian Cyberspace Report: Jan 11- 18, 2013

The IMP monitors debate and discussion among Iranian Internet users as Khamenei and Janati's resistance to a 'free election,' Mana Neyestani's election cartoon, and a wave of 'fake accounts' for media professionals ignite Persian cyberspace.

Internet Censorship and the Fog of Fatwas

Fatwas are edicts made by religious authorities in Iran. The IMP and ASL 19 analyze the impact these religious interpretations have on social media censorship and the use of circumvention tools in Iran.

Cartoon Roundup

Commentary on the state of Iranian cinema, Nikzad's multiple Ministry appointments, air quality, Syrian rebels using children in the rebellion effort and Ali Esmaeili's request for media censorship are the focus of this week's cartoon roundup.

Madam Minister Fired, Media Maelstrom Follows

State television confirmed rumors that President Ahmadinejad had dismissed Health Minister Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi, on December 27th, 2012--the only woman appointed to a ministerial position since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Her nomination by President Ahmadinejad and confirmation by the parliament was seen as a watershed moment in the history of the Islamic Republic...

Persian Cyberspace Report: Dec 29 – Jan 4, 2013

Headlines circulating among Iranian Internet users leading into the new year include an apostasy fatwa issued by Azizollah Khoshvaghtagainst the '09 post-election protesters; The increasing economic crisis, which has resulted in the widespread closure of factories, worker layoffs, and more protests in Iran; and finally the gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old student in Delhi.

Cartoon Roundup

President Ahmadinejad's firing of Iran's health minister, foreign imports and economic struggles, and the recent release of Rafsanjani’s son are featured in this week's Cartoon Roundup.

Sepah's Growing Media Activity

IMP and ASL19 outline the four phases of Sepah’s expansion into media activities, beginning with the 1979 Islamic Revolution and continuing to the present day.

Fact Sheet: Iranian YouTube

The Iranian government this December launched its own version of YouTube, in a new move by officials to create a state-run competitor to the popular western video-sharing site owned by Google and the latest effort by authorities to develop social media and email services to replace their western versions. IMP and ASL19 examine the inception and reception of Mehr.