SPIEGELONLINE INTERNATIONAL: Iran's mullah regime has said there are signs of a "creeping coup," in the media, after it banned a pro-reform newspaper and a news agency. Tehran now interprets any criticism of its failure to improve the economy as proof of a US-inspired plot.
Iran's culture ministry has accused the press of fostering a creeping coup, just days after banning a newspaper and an news agency critical of the government. The tougher line on media criticism comes amid growing public unrest over fuel rationing and energy price increases, and international moves to impose even tougher sanctions on Tehran.
Ham Mihan, a pro-reform newspaper, and the ILNA online news agency were both shut down by the authorities last Tuesday. The reformist and liberal press has been criticizing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for failing to deliver on his electoral promise to improve the economy but the regime is interpreting any negative press as proof of a plot. Press Accused of ‘Creeping Coup’ (more)
Mark Alexander
