A few days ago, news of a terrifying explosion by one of the representatives of the Islamic Consultative Assembly caused concern among the media community, political and civil activists, as well as social media activists and influential social figures, including celebrities and influencers in the fields of art and sports in Iran. It was said that if the legal process progressed, it could be the final blow to legitimate freedoms and rights stated in the country’s constitution, and even contradict the Press Law of 1998 – which was formulated and approved during a time of great oppression and restrictions.

In this note, regardless of examining the reasons and motivations of the proposers of this plan by a few representatives, it is necessary to first mention a few points and then discuss its inconsistencies with the press law.

1- As soon as it occurs to individuals in positions of representation that they can try to build another dam in the way of “the right to access information” by proposing such a hasty and uncooked plan, it is surprising and worrying. It is very strange and unimaginable that a minority group would think they can challenge the right to freedom of expression, freedom of criticism and criticism, and the right to freedom of assembly, which are among the fundamental rights of citizens, and provide the means to deprive them of these rights.

2- From another perspective, simply writing and presenting it as a turned-off light and guiding it to the Judicial Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and following up and normalizing it in society is strange in itself and is sufficiently alarming. This limited movement by a small group of parliamentarians shows that individuals lacking the necessary insight and unaware of the spirit of the Constitution and other relevant laws of the country have only been present in the legislative branch of the country based on their emotional feelings and allow themselves to make the legislative branch of the country a plaything for their own raw and backward desires, disregarding the fundamental rights of the people.

3- The cultural and media society of the country and influential figures have received a lot of attention in the past few months, as they have been dealing with these types of methods that lead to threats and violations of legitimate and legal freedoms. They must protect their rights and freedoms. Therefore, such drawing of lines cannot disrupt the activities and cultural development of the younger generation.

4- It is clear that the few representatives behind the “Punishment of Famous Individuals for Expressing Opinions Before the Announcement of Official Positions” plan have been seeking something. They are actually after detaining political, cultural, artistic, and economic figures, influential individuals, influential groups, university professors, critical clergy, and even celebrities and influencers in the fields of art and sports for speaking out about the truth and criticizing the actions of the corrupt government. The reason for this is obvious: these individuals have a significant message that is heard in the virtual space and have millions of followers. Without any sympathy for these celebrities, I must say that their influence is probably what has led to the creation of such plans. One of the representatives even mentioned a football star who has joined the opposition and claimed, “This plan is specific to people like Mr. X, who is outside the country. They must know that expressing unjust opinions has consequences and anyone who causes harm to the freedom of others must be held

5- Fortunately, according to the statement of another member of parliament who was among the opponents of the mentioned plan, it seems that this plan has been removed from the agenda for now. As the media has reported, he said, “The plan to punish the expression of opinions by famous individuals before the official authorities is apparently a topic that some representatives have raised, but due to the lack of support from the parliament, it has been suffocated in its infancy.” However, it is not unlikely that these representatives may have the opportunity to reintroduce their plan if the conditions are met and social and media pressures decrease, or as previously announced, “the Judicial Commission of the Parliament has a plan titled ‘Determining Punishment for Publishers of False News’ on its agenda,” and they may pay attention to a similar plan.

6- What is certain is that these types of restrictive plans originate from a paternalistic mindset for managing an immature society. According to some, an immature society must be controlled through fear; a closed society with a cemetery-like silence, instead of having an active, dynamic, and free society. The owners of this mindset do not believe in the fundamental rights and freedoms of humans and citizens, and only expect obedience to the government’s orders. However, despite the government’s desire, today’s society is seeking legitimate and legal freedoms, the right to access information, freedom of expression, and the right to actively participate in its own destiny. A free society in which every citizen is a responsible element in society and can express their desires, ideals, and beliefs when necessary, and share them with other members of society and the media. Such citizenship, thanks to the development of communication in the virtual space and the internet, has online connections with various groups of people and the free world, and can engage in economic

7- The right that is referred to as freedom of expression, speech and thought, is not something that the rulers can grant to the society, but rather it is firstly a right that is inviolable and immutable due to the principle of “human dignity” which God has bestowed upon humans, as stated in the verse “And We have certainly honored the children of Adam…” It is also secondly enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and explicitly stated in it, closing the door to any kind of distortion and denial by opponents of freedom. And thirdly, it is mentioned and emphasized in various articles and clauses of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic, despite its shortcomings. Therefore, the government is obligated to ensure these freedoms and there should be no excuse for violating these rights.

8- Even in looking at the “Press Law” – which oversees the conditions of the country two decades ago and has no relation to the great advancements in the fields of communication, media, and digital media, the spread of satellites, and the progress of the internet, and also has no connection to the networked society – we see that censorship and pre-publication inspection have been criminalized and a clear stance has been taken against those who seek to create illegal restrictions and prohibitions or to deprive freedom of expression. In Article 4 of Chapter 3 (Press Rights) of the Press Law, it is stated: “No government or non-governmental authority has the right to publish an article or material in an attempt to pressure the press or to initiate censorship and control of publications.” When such a perspective existed more than two decades ago, how can a minority, deprived of understanding human rights and cut off from the spirit of their country’s constitution, allow themselves to hinder the expression of

9- In addition, it has been stated in legal terms such as the right to criticize and monitor the performance of officials. As mentioned explicitly in Article 3 of the Press Law, the press has the right to publish “opinions, constructive criticisms, suggestions, explanations of the people and officials while observing Islamic standards and the interests of society.” Obviously, this right is so clear that there was no need to mention it in the law, but it has been included to eliminate any ambiguity for narrow-minded and biased individuals who consider their actions immune from any supervision, objection, or criticism.

10- Another issue that can be mentioned at the end and inspired by the Press Law is a phenomenon that unfortunately, due to the dominance of security space, is sometimes ignored, and that is the right to obtain news and publish it. Media professionals, including writers, journalists, photographers, filmmakers, and analysts, are sometimes under pressure to publish a seemingly ordinary news from the city, school, or hospital, while in reality they are just doing their professional and occupational duties. If they abandon their duties, it is as if they have put their foot on their professional identity and conscience and forgotten their professional responsibilities. As stated in Article 5 of the third chapter of the Press Law, “obtaining and publishing domestic and foreign news for the purpose of increasing public awareness and protecting the interests of society is among the legal rights of the press.”