Iran moves to criminalize interviews with media labeled "hostile"
Bill would ban contact with outlets Tehran labels "hostile" and set prison terms of six months to two years.
Iran's parliament approved a bill that would make interviews and other communications with media the authorities deem hostile a criminal offence, escalating restrictions on contact between Iranian citizens and certain foreign outlets.
The draft law singles out American and Israeli media, as well as media organizations described as being financed by the United States or Israel.
Before the measure can take effect it must be reviewed by the Guardian Council. If enacted as written, interviews or participation in discussions with the designated outlets would be prohibited and violations would carry prison sentences ranging from six months to two years.
The proposal also requires that interviews with other foreign media be reported to the Ministry of Intelligence.
Authorities in Tehran have previously tightened rules on contact with foreign actors: a law adopted last year, passed in the wake of the 12-day war with Israel and the U.S., introduced tougher penalties for alleged cooperation with hostile states.
As an example under the current enforcement trend, Iranian photojournalist Yalda Moayeri was sentenced to 15 years in prison this month on charges that include giving interviews to media labelled as hostile and providing photographs to organizations linked to the U.S. and Israel. Separately, Iran has offered its citizens $30,000 for each captured or killed American soldier.
Photo: AA/ABACA / Abaca Press / Profimedia
