Iran Parliament Approves Bill Criminalizing Contact With Foreign Media as Rights Groups Warn of Information Blackout

Iran's parliament approved the general framework of a bill criminalizing contact with "hostile" foreign media, with 183 of 290 lawmakers voting in favor on August 16 123. The bill bans interviews and data transfers with US- or Israeli-linked outlets, punishable by six months to two years in prison 1234, and requires advance notification to the Intelligence Ministry for contact with other foreign media 123. Unauthorized contact with foreign embassies or entities draws fines and loss of social rights 23, and policy proposals made under foreign intelligence direction carry up to 30 years in prison in Revolutionary Courts 23. The bill still requires article-by-article review and Guardian Council approval to become law 1234. Human Rights Watch's Bahar Saba told OCCRP it follows a recent Intelligence Ministry directive designating a list of outlets, NGOs, and journalists as "hostile" entities 4.