DATE=6/18/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAN PRESS (S) CQ
NUMBER=2-263581
BYLINE=LISA BRYANT
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Iran's new reformist parliament is calling for
an urgent review of the country's restrictive press
law. From Cairo, Lisa Bryant reports the motion
follows the closure of more than two-dozen
publications earlier this year by the country's hard-
line press court.
TEXT: The motion for a speedy review of Iran's tough
press legislation is one of the first pieces of
business taken up by the new parliament, which opened
late last month. The motion was endorsed by a large
majority of Iran's new lawmakers. Many also signed a
letter urging the country's judiciary head to respect
press freedom and the rights of prisoners of
conscience.
Iran's last, conservative-dominated parliament passed
a restrictive press law in April, shortly before
dissolving. Among other things, the legislation
imposes stiffer punishments for press offenses and
gives courts greater powers to sanction newspapers.
Iran's reformist press has been under attack this year
- especially during parliament elections. The
conservative press court has suspended 18-publications
- almost all of them allied to the policies of Iran's
moderate president, Mohammed Khatami.
Reformist politicians, who swept the country's
legislative elections, vowed overturning the new press
law would be a key priority. (SIGNED)
NEB / LB / WD/RAE
18-Jun-2000 08:27 AM EDT (18-Jun-2000 1227 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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