Freedom of thought and expression

Last updated:

July 5, 2026

Freedom of thought and expression

Checkpoint or Deathtrap? A Dark Account from Tarik-Darreh, Hamedan After the Twelve-Day War / Reza Harisi

The end of the twelve-day war between Iran and Israel, contrary to public expectations, did not result in a fragile peace but rather ushered in a disturbing and unstable state within the country. During the war and immediately following the announcement of the ceasefire, security and military forces of the Islamic Republic established hundreds of […]...

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Created By: Reza Harisi
July 23, 2025

Revisiting the Role of the Media in the Twelve-Day War/ Mina Javani

In times of crisis—particularly within the context of military conflicts—the media move beyond their conventional role as mere transmitters of information. They become active agents in shaping public opinion, constructing dominant narratives, and organizing collective emotions. The twelve-day war between Iran and Israel once again demonstrated that the battlefield is not confined to weaponry and […]...

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Created By: Mina Javani
July 23, 2025

When the Twelve-Day War Reached the Internet/ Fereshteh Goli

In today’s world, the internet has a clear meaning: a tool for fast, direct, and uncensored communication among people, with access to firsthand news and information—even if that information is sometimes incorrect or misleading. In any case, the right to access the internet is recognized in international law as part of fundamental human rights and […]...

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Created By: Fereshteh Goli
July 23, 2025

Censorship as a Preserver of the Old Order: From the Constitutional Revolution to the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance/ Mehrdad Naghibi

The policy of censorship and pre-publication review, as the primary deterrent to the advancement of culture, has continued to persist for years by relying on a wide range of available tools, aiding opponents of freedom of expression. Today, the issue of censorship is no longer confined to book publishing and the press; instead, all cultural, […]...

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Created By: Mehrdad Naghibi
June 22, 2025

A look at the black record of “Hossein Ali Nayeri”, a member of the Death Commission/ Ali Kalaei

The death of those who have committed injustice and their hands are stained with the blood of the people, without going through the process of justice, not only brings comfort to the oppressors but also deprives them of the opportunity to hear the truth of their atrocities. The death of “Hossein Ali Neiri” is one […]...

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Created By: Ali Kalaei
April 21, 2025

From Financial Gains to Security Policies: Filtering and the VPN Sales Mafia in Iran/ Seyed Mohammad Sohofi

Unofficial reports suggest that the financial turnover from VPN sales in Iran is remarkably high due to the widespread use of these tools and the lack of transparency in this market. With the sharp rise in demand for VPNs following the widespread filtering of social media platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), Telegram, […]...

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Created By: Seyed Mohammad Sohofi
January 20, 2025

The Mafia of Filtering or VPNs: Which Side Does the Government Listen to in Its Fight Against a Free Internet?/ Amir Aghaei

Radical members of parliament, the spokesperson for the Pezeshkian administration, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, members of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace, Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, and many other names—while differing significantly in their political approaches and perspectives on managing the internet in Iran, they all share one thing in common: beating the drum of the VPN mafia. […]...

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Created By: Amir Aghayi
January 20, 2025

Stress and Psychological Impacts of Communication Restrictions on Users/ Alireza Goodarzi

To have a simple voice or video call with friends living outside Iran, I sometimes have to open and close several apps before one finally connects us for a few minutes. They can’t access domestic platforms, and we can’t use most international apps. I have to try multiple VPNs to find one that works. One […]...

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Created By: Alireza Goodarzi
January 20, 2025

Why Insist on Maintaining Filtering?/ Majid Shia’ali

One of the main promises of the Pezeshkian administration was to lift the filtering of social media platforms. In recent months, reformists have tried to achieve a symbolic success for the unsupported Pezeshkian administration by lifting the ban on some social networks amidst the current crises. However, despite all these efforts, the administration’s achievements have […]...

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Created By: Majid Shia’ali
January 20, 2025

The Digital Economy in the Cage of Filtering/ Ahmad Alavi

According to the fourth report by the Tehran E-Commerce Association, Iran ranks 98th among 100 countries in terms of internet quality. In this ranking, Iran is third from the bottom, following Cuba and Turkmenistan. Furthermore, Iran and China are at the top of the list for the highest number of filtered domains. Social media filtering […]...

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Created By: Ahmad Alavi
January 20, 2025

Examining the Impact of Filtering on Iranian Families: Challenges, Consequences, and Solutions/ Mehdi Anbari

The digital space has become an inseparable part of the lives of Iranian children, teenagers, and families. However, it appears that filtering policies in Iran over the past decades have created challenges for families rather than supporting them. The internet is now a core pillar of daily life, particularly for children and teenagers. It provides […]...

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Created By: Mehdi Anbari
January 20, 2025

The Internet in Iran Has No Meaning Without VPNs/ Soroush Ahmadi

The issue of filtering in Iran is as complex as it is straightforward. If we set aside the question of why filtering occurs in Iran and why we are the second-most restricted country for internet access after China, we can discuss the surrounding issues. The internet, the most modern method of communication in the world, […]...

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Created By: Soroush Ahmadi
January 20, 2025