Iranian lawmakers passed landmark legislation prohibiting citizens from appearing on designated hostile media channels. The Intelligence Ministry will hold sole authority to identify, classify, and blacklist prohibited foreign broadcasting platforms. Domestic news outlets confirmed that the bill passed under a controversial counter-espionage and national anti-influence framework. Government officials retain explicit legal exemptions allowing official communication with international media representatives.
Violators face severe penalties under Category Six of the Iranian Islamic Penal Code guidelines. Judicial punishments include prison sentences ranging from six months to two years. Convicted individuals face substantial cash fines alongside severe social rights suspensions lasting up to five years. Legal authorities may also order the public publication of final judicial sentences in state newspapers.
The broader counter-espionage bill originally gained initial legislative approval during parliamentary voting sessions in August. The legislation sparked intense political debates between executive branch officials and parliamentary representatives. Iranian government spokespersons publicly opposed the draft framework, citing numerous significant structural defects. Furthermore, additional clauses strictly ban Iranian researchers from collaborating with foreign scientific institutions.
Human rights organizations and media experts have expressed deep concern regarding these expanding legal restrictions. Legal scholars warn that vague legal definitions risk further criminalizing ordinary public civic engagement. Meanwhile, hardline lawmakers maintain that strict regulations protect internal national security against foreign influence operations. Moving forward, the Iranian Guardian Council must review the bill before final legal implementation.