Tehran's Daily Newspaper Review
Iran's top headline came out of Ahmadinejad's high-profile meeting with his ‘young advisors’ from across the country, where he used the podium to launch another round of attacks against his critics, attributing the economic and political problems of the country to their plots against his government and to say that “slanders against the government are political game.” Iran also put Hashemi Rafsanjani under the spot light again, as the time for appointment of a new chairman for the influential Council of Expediency Discernment by the Supreme Leader is approaching, and the Reformists are hoping that Ayatollah Khamenei decides to keep Hashemi at the position. The government’s organ reported of the Reformist media’s excessive attention to Hashemi news, putting his name on the front page of ther newspapers at least 58 times during the previous month. The newspaper also commemorated the first anniversary of the popular uprising in Bahrain.
Jomhouri-ye Eslami’s top headline was also the continuation of anti-discrimination protests in Bahrain one year after unrest broke out in this Shi’a majority island of the Persian Gulf. The newspaper’s front page was as usual covered by the new from the restive Middle East: demonstrations in the Shi’a-dominated Qatif region of Saudi Arabia, Israel's decision to build new settlements in vicinity of the al-Aqsa Mosque, Iran's summoning of Bahrain’s charge d’affaires to the Foreign Ministry and Syria’s UN envoy criticism of Israel's hypocrisy regarding its stance towards the unrest in Syria. The newspaper’s editorial criticized Hamas for its deal with Fatah, warning that the pass being trodden by Hamas may lead to ‘reconciliation’ –a term with strong negative connotations in the Iranian Principlists’ lexicon- with Israel.
Resalat’s top headline reported of the Saudis and Al Khalifa of Bahrain using live ammunition against the protestors. The newspaper quoted Manouchehr Mottaki, former Foreign Minister and Speaker of the United Front of Principlists’ electoral headquarters, saying that the final slate of the front will be announced on 1st of Esfand, 20th of February. “The Green Movement was launched by Washington’s money” the newspaper quoted former Assistant Secretary of Treasury of the United States Paul Craig Roberts.
Ahmadinejad's criticism of billion-Toman spending by parliamentary election nominees was Shargh’s top headline, while the mainstream Principlist media are criticizing the Deviant Current –Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei and Co.- of the same tactic. “Gmail may aid the subversive elements” the newspaper quoted Mohammad-Reza Aqamiri, member of the notorious Task Force for Designation of Instances of Illegal Online Activity, the exectuvie body responsible for banning websites inside Iran. “I have ordered seven million tourist visits” the newspaper quoted head of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization Hassan Mousavi, a number currently said to be hovering around 1 million.
Vatan-e Emrooz’s front page was covered by a photo of young Bahraini protestors carrying the wounded body of a protestor on their hands, along with the headline “the roar of shroud-wearers in the Pearl Square”, us protestors wore white clothes to show their preparedness to embrace death for their ideals. Sean Stone’s, Oliver Stone’s son, conversion to Islam in his visit to Iran was also covered by the newspaper on the front page. The newspaper featured a report on the news claiming of Iran's plans to carry out terrorist attacks Israel's embassies across the world, calling it a rash, botched scenario by Israel failing to fulfill its propagandistic objectives.
* Notes:
The editorial section of Iranian newspapers is not the work of the editor-in-chief or the senior editorial staff of the newspaper by default, but can be a contribution by experts and politicians (typically agreeing with the newspaper’s political stance.) The newspapers may also occasionally publish without an editorial.
Vatan-e Emrooz daily does not publish on Thursdays.
Trouble with understanding some terms? Check our Glossary of Iranian Political Terms.
Briefing
Iran is the official organ of the administration. Its current editor-in-chief is Ali-Akbar Javanfekr, former media advisor to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Jomhouri-ye Eslami (The Islamic Republic) was known as the official organ of the Party of the Islamic Republic, founded in 1979 and disbanded in 1987. Currently, it is an open critic of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's policies and is known to be a mouthpiece of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
Kayhan (Universe) is a hard-line conservative newspaper. Its editor-in-chief –currently Hossein Shari’atmadari- is directly appointed by Iran's Supreme Leader. Shari’atmadari’s editorials often spark off controversy and debate inside Iranian political circles.
Resalat (Mission) belongs to the moderate wing of the Principlist camp. Resalat’s best known analyst is Amir Mohebbian, its political editor.
Shargh (East) is a moderate Reformist newspaper. It was the most popular and influential Reformist newspaper in its first period of publication which lasted from August 2003 until September 2006.
Tehran-e Emrooz (Tehran Today) is a “Principlist/Reformist” newspaper, connected to Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Tehran Mayor and a likely candidate of the 2013 presidential election.