During the World Economic Forum currently taking place in Davos, Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani dropped some major news — he doesn’t write his own social media messages.
Iran: Friends with (social media) benefits?
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CATEGORY: Iran
Being a gay poet in Iran: ‘Writing on the edge of crisis’
Iran’s government has been increasing pressure on writers and artists over the past few years, but its heavy hand does not strike evenly.
Hassan Rouhani raises Iranian hopes for free expression
During his inauguration address, Iran’s new president Hassan Rouhani promised peace and a push towards a more open dialogue with the West. Although it is far too soon to gauge whether his promises will transform into policies as he pushes against Iran’s convoluted theocracy. Small Media reports
Shutting down culture in Iran
In recent weeks, Iran has clamped down on cultural institutions, including officially revoking the license of 27-year old publishing house Cheshmeh Publications, and shutting down the country's independently-run House of Cinema. Here is a look at...
Iranian Girl In Conflict and Consent
Natalie Abbassi is an Iranian-American artist based in North Carolina. In a series of self-portraits entitled "In conflict and consent", Abbassi explores the relationship between her two different identities: This project is a series of self...
Underground art
Little Black Fish: Last week, a video entitled Runway In Subway caught my eye. Filmed on the Tehran Metro, it shows a young girl named Shirin Abedinirad boldly entering a train carriage and asking passengers for their rubbish, in order to pin it...
Tehran’s underground train missionaries
Religious women will be stationed outside of Tehran's underground stations in an effort to enlighten and guide female commuters back on the straight and narrow path. The Chief of Operations of Tehran's Metro system Ali Mohammad Gholiha, told Mehr...
Directive on ‘love triangles’ and ‘half naked men’ issued
With the strict supposedly "moral" codes imposed on Iranian society with increasing conservatism in recent times, this latest directive - banning 'love triangles' and 'half naked men' --- issued to television programme directors this week, strikes...
‘A Separation’ and a new form of censorship in film
Tomorrow, the Cinema Office of Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance must decide on the country's submission for the Best Foreign Language Film for the 2012 Oscars. The obvious choice would be A Separation, director Asghar Frahadi's...
Iran considers banning Chinese-printed error-ridden Korans
Iranian publishers are reeling after measures to save money when printing the Koran backfired this week. In an attempt to make cheaper, mass distribution editions available, the Holy Book was produced and printed in China. But the copies, already...