The state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) warned presidential candidates not to tarnish the country's image with their election campaign broadcasts, threatening to disrupt their broadcasts.
The presidential candidates approved by the Guardian Council, to be announced next week, will each be allocated promotional time on state television between June 12 and June 26.
The presidential debate will also be broadcast live.
IRIB's election headquarters issued the warning on Thursday along with guidelines for candidate advertisements, banning content that could “soak doubts,” “undermine the achievements of the Islamic Republic” and “undermine public confidence in the electoral process.”
of The US and EU imposed sanctions on IRIB in 2013, And in 2022 It has become “a key tool in the Iranian government's massive campaign of repression and censorship against its people.”
In opinion polls, Gaman, based in the Netherlands The institute collected information about media opinions from 38,445 people in Iran last year and found that only around 21 percent of respondents follow Iranian developments through IRIB.
Criticism of the current administration, particularly that of President Ebrahim Raisi, whose death last month sparked the general election, is at risk of being heavily scrutinised and any perceived negative portrayal is barred from national media coverage.
The directive comes amid wider restrictions on media content ahead of the elections, warning candidates to refrain from defamation and actions harmful to national unity and participation.
Iran's Press Supervisory Committee also warned that violators would face 74 lashes if found guilty.
According to the directive released on Wednesday, distributing materials promoting “election boycott and under-participation” and “organizing unauthorized protests, strikes or sit-ins” will be criminal offences.
Iran's Minister of Information He also warned that authorities would closely monitor the actions of presidential candidates and their supporters and that anyone spreading “destructive” claims would be prosecuted.
The warning came after the supreme leader spoke on Monday, urging athletes to avoid slander and refrain from maligning each other.
These warnings were made by several candidates, including Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf Both candidates, including Mustafa Pour Mohammadi, have been implicated in corruption and human rights abuses, and the election debate could be an opportunity for the candidates to accuse each other of violating laws.
Ghalibaf, a conservative parliament speaker and former mayor of Tehran, has been embroiled in several financial scandals implicating his inner circle. Former IRGC officerHe was tried and convicted in a case involving approximately $5 billion.
Iranian politician Poa MohammadiHe served as interior minister and justice minister in two different governments and was a member of the Death Commission. Executive Director Thousands of Iranian political prisoners were killed in the 1980s.
Despite numerous warnings, the usual procedure — in which candidates begin campaigning and then wrangling after approval by the Guardian Council, a 12-member non-election watchdog body — was suspended this time, allowing the confrontation to begin prematurely.
A high-profile clash broke out Ghalibaf and Vahid HaganianThe inauguration of Haganian, a key figure in the Iranian Supreme Leader's Office and presidential candidate, attracted much attention. The media under the control of the IRGC criticized Haganian and supported Ghalibaf.
