Tehran moves to outlaw any foreign media contact, rights groups warn
Iranian lawmakers are debating a bill that would make unauthorised communication with foreign media a criminal offence, punishable by six months to two years in prison. Human rights organisations say the measure aims to isolate Iranian society from the outside world. The proposal follows the sentencing of photojournalist Yalda Moaiery to 15 years for documenting the US-Israeli war on Iran.
The proposed legislation would require Iranians to notify the intelligence ministry before any contact with foreign media outlets or organisations, with violations carrying sentences of six months to two years. Social media platforms deemed foreign-financed, including Instagram and X, would also fall under the bill's scope, according to human rights lawyer Moein Khazaeli.
The measure follows the recent sentencing of photojournalist Yalda Moaiery to 15 years in prison for documenting the US-Israeli war on Iran. Moaiery, who has covered protests since 2022, was convicted under existing espionage laws, which rights advocates say the new bill would expand into a broader tool for regulating civic engagement.
This law could significantly restrict how Iranian citizens interact with international audiences, potentially isolating the country's media landscape and civic discourse. Journalists, researchers, and ordinary citizens may face heightened risk for routine communication, which could deter coverage of sensitive events and reduce outside scrutiny of domestic affairs. The chilling effect may extend beyond professional media workers to anyone using global platforms, reshaping how information flows in and out of Iran.