New York, September 17, 2002—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemns the recent decision by Tehran’s Press Court to suspend two more newspapers. The latest ruling brings to 54 the total number of publications suspended since a crackdown began in April 2000.
According to a CPJ source in Iran, on Sunday, September 15, the Press Court suspended the daily Golestan-e-Iran, a recently opened paper, accusing it of publishing lies and rumors.
In the same ruling, the court also announced the suspension of the weekly Vaqt. The source in Iran said that the paper was accused of publishing photos and articles considered to be “immoral.”
Both papers are small circulation and reformist-leaning.
