Tehran's Daily Newspaper Review
MPs are ready to foreshorten the 90 thousand dollar “blood money” set by the Judiciary, as it could increase the already existing problems in prisons, insurance fees etc., Iran reported. Iran also largely covered the siege of Israel's embassy in Cairo by angry Egyptians infuriated over the killing of five Egyptian policemen by Israel. The editorial was written by Saeed Yousefipour, again on the Khatoon subject, complaining that members of the “cultural front” of the Islamic Revolution cannot distinguish ‘insiders’ from ‘outsiders’ since they lack the required expertise.
Jomhouri-ye Eslami, anti-Qaddafi from the beginning, chose its top headline “Military array of Libyan revolutionaries for their final attack on Tripoli”. Israel's raid on Gaza, protests in Germany and demonstrations in Yemen were other headlines published on the front page. On the anniversary of the martyrdom of Shi’as’ first imam, Ali (AS), Jomhouri-ye Eslami’s editorial was titled “Ali’s Justice”. The author argued that the reality of the Islamic Republic’s achievements should not be heard from those who categorically reject or approve of the system’s performance, or those who only support achievements during their term of service, but from the ones who try to give a realistic picture.
Kayhan’s top headline covered the anti-Israeli campaign in Cairo and the “massive outcry of Egyptians” against the Camp David Accords. Kayhan also covered the news of Iran's Armed Forces unveiling a new generation of long-range cruise missiles. In its editorial, Kayhan probed Israel's motives for attacking Gaza and Egyptian border guards, i.e. regional developments and the identity crisis among the Israeli youth-- both of which have undermined Israel's security.
“Distribution of bank and fiscal resources should be released from preferential treatment”, Resalat quoted Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who had attended the inauguration ceremony of the minister of the newly formed portfolio of Ministry of Industry, Mining and Trade. Resalat also reported of a joint attack on the Guardian Council by Principlists’ nemeses: (Esfandiar Mashaei’s) “Astray Current” and the Reformists’ Fetneh Current; the former attacking figures such as Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi, member of the Guardian Council and also a supporter of the Principlists’ unity, and the latter slamming its screening and pre-qualification process before citizens get to vote for their candidates. Resalat’s editorial called for fighting both corruption and ‘diversion’ from the routine, and a correct approach towards regulating fiscal affairs by the Majles’ and the government.
The inflation rate will be kept confidential by the government’s decision, Shargh reported. Eight years of imprisonment for US hikers Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal and the ‘message’ behind appointment of new ambassador to Damascus, Mohammad Sheibani, deputy foreign minister for Middle East affairs, were also covered by Shargh.
Tehran-e Emrooz’ top headline was on Iranians performing the rituals of Qadr nights. The inflation rate shelved as confidential, low standards of Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKIA) and Qaddafi’s shaky situation, were other major headlines of the newspaper.
Vatan-e Emrooz focused on the impact of the euro crisis on the European soccer leagues. Israel's raid on Gaza and the termination of the two-year ceasefire by Hamas was also covered on the front page. Vatan-e Emrooz also reported of protests in Germany and tough sentences for those engaged in Britain’s riots.
* Notes:
The editorial section of Iranian newspapers is not always the work of the editor-in-chief or the senior editorial staff of the newspaper, but can be a contribution by experts and politicians (typically agreeing with the newspaper’s political stance.)
Vatan-e Emrooz daily does not publish on Thursdays.
Trouble with understanding some terms? Check our Glossary of Iranian Political Terms.
Briefing
Hamshahri (Citizen) is the official daily newspaper of Tehran's Municipality. Its general directions in politics, culture and economy are determined by the mayor of Tehran, currently Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.
Iran is the official organ of the administration.
Jomhouri-ye Eslami (The Islamic Republic) was known as the official organ of the Party of the Islamic Republic, founded in 1979 and disbanded in 1987. Currently, it is an open critique of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's policies and is known to be a mouthpiece of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
Kayhan (Universe) is a hard-line conservative newspaper. Its editor-in-chief –currently Hossein Shari’atmadari- is appointed by Iran's Supreme Leader. Shari’atmadari’s editorials often spark off controversy and debate inside Iranian political circles.
Khabar (News) is a principlist daily newspaper which adopts a critical stance towards Ahmadinejad's policies.
Resalat (Mission) belongs to the moderate wing of the principlist camp. Resalat’s best known analyst is Amir Mohebbian, its political editor.
Shargh (East) is a moderate reformist newspaper. It was the most popular and influential reformist newspaper in its first period of publication which lasted from August 2003 until September 2006.
Tehran-e Emrooz (Tehran Today) is a ‘principlist reformist’ newspaper, connected to Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.
Vatan-e Emrooz (Motherland Today) -which started its publication in November 2008-, belongs to Mehrdad Bazrpash, the thirty-old pro-Ahmadinejad politician who is also head of Iran's second largest auto manufacturer company, Saipa. Vatan-e Emrooz is a supporter of the president’s policies.