Iran proposes prison sentences for those who talk to foreign media

Iranian lawmakers have passed a bill that could impose prison sentences of up to two years for individuals communicating with foreign media outlets deemed "unfriendly" by the government. The legislation, approved by 183 out of 290 members of parliament on August 16, aims to severely restrict interactions between Iranians and international news organizations.

The bill specifically prohibits interviews, discussions, or any other form of communication with media outlets identified as American, Israeli, or funded by these countries. Penalties for violations fall under a sixth-degree prison sentence, which translates to more than six months to two years. The law also criminalizes sending video, photos, audio recordings, or other data to non-Iranian media or individuals engaged in media activities outside Iran.

Under the new legislation, any contact with other foreign media requires prior notification to the Ministry of Intelligence through a government system. This means Iranians must inform authorities before granting interviews or engaging in other forms of media interaction. Political analyst Kambiz Gafuri warned that the law could "turn Iran into North Korea," criticizing the focus on journalists rather than what he described as "the power structure."

The bill extends to educational and research activities, proposing five to ten years in prison for organizers of courses or workshops deemed "incompatible with Iranian culture," with participants facing up to two years. Unauthorized academic collaboration with foreign universities or research institutes without intelligence ministry approval also carries prison sentences of six months to two years. The legislation awaits approval from the Guardian Council to become law. Reporters Without Borders ranks Iran 177th out of 180 countries in its 2026 World Press Freedom Index.