Tehran's Daily Newspaper Review
The Iranian nation’s anti-imperialism inspired the Islamic Awakening in the region, according to cabinet members who were interviewed by Iran. In Tehran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, attending a ceremony held to showcase new domestically manufactured military wares, stated that Iran's defense achievements are capable of entering into global competition. Distortion and misbehavior creates distrust of the media among citizens, experts maintained in their interview with Iran.
Jomhouri-ye Eslami reported that Libyan revolutionaries (a word with a positive connotation among the Iranian conservative media) are preparing to form a new cabinet now that Tripoli has been liberated by the people. The Judiciary began the trial of the hired assassin who murdered Iranian physicist Masoud Ali-Mohammadi in Tehran last year. In its editorial, Jomhouri-ye Eslami analyzed the upcoming International Quds Day rally with an eye on the Arab Spring and the changing geopolitics of Middle East. Arab regimes appeasing Israel are either toppled or marginalized, the editorial argued, and the EU and US, facing economic crises, are too occupied with their problems to aid Israel.
Kayhan’s top headline on Libya was reminiscent of its headlines in the early days of the Iranian Revolution: “Libyan youth form popular committees to stabilize the Islamic Revolution.” Covering the trial of Masoud Ali-Mohammadi’s assassin, Kayhan quoted the accused, reportedly hired by Mossad, saying that the Israeli intelligence agency had plotted five other terrorist operations. Predictably, Kayhan’s editorial argued that the Arab Spring is inspired by the Islamic Republic. It also warned about the threat of radical Islamist groups and foreign intervention by Western countries.
The upper fold of Shargh’s front page was occupied by a chart showing the steady rise in the dollar exchange rate during the past 33 years. Assad’s failure to keep his promise of abandoning military action against protestors, the air pollution crisis in Tehran, and the seizure of Qaddafi’s palace were other headlines published on the front page. “No one weeps for Colonel”, wrote Mohammad-Ali Sobhani in Shargh’s editorial, elaborating on how oil and a subservient circle of politicians brought Qaddafi to the current situation.
Vatan-e Emrooz’ headline reported on the global recession and the record price of gold. The paper also covered the ‘mysterious’ escape of Qaddafi’s son, Seif al-Islam (refered to as the ‘green aghazadeh’, perhaps to remind readers of the elite pro-Mousavi politicians inside Iran), and the continued arson incidents in Berlin.
* Note: Vatan-e Emrooz 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.