Iran bans critical business daily

Mon, Nov 2 10:31 PM

Tehran, Nov 2 (DPA) Iran Monday banned publication of a pro-reform business daily critical of the government's economic policies.

'Based on a decision by the media supervisory board, the publication licence of Sarmayeh newspaper was annulled,' state news agency IRNA reported, citing a statement released by the Culture Ministry's media department.

The report said the ban was ordered because of 'repeated violations of the press law.' It did not elaborate.

Sarmayeh, which had criticised President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's economic policies, was banned after printing 1,151 issues.

Several publications have been closed down since 2005 when Ahmadinejad took the office. Pressure on the media mounted after his June 12 electoral victory, which led into violent street unrests.

Hundreds of protesters, including leading journalists, were detained during demonstrations in support of defeated candidates Mir-Hossein Moussavi and Mehdi Karroubi, who claimed the vote was rigged.

Inside News

Editor's picks