Following the publication of a poll on Khabar Online regarding the level of citizen participation in elections, this media outlet was forced to delete its report under pressure from security agencies.
On January 29, 2024, Khabar Online published the results of a poll conducted by a “reputable governmental center” concerning the anticipated level of participation in the Majles (Islamic Consultative Assembly) and the Assembly of Experts elections, predicting citizen participation at “30 percent.”
Just one day after the publication of these poll results on Khabar Online, the report was removed from the site. Following this incident, the media outlet wrote in a news piece about the reason for removing its content: “In a phone call, Khabar Online was asked to delete this news, and it was stated that publishing any kind of poll regarding the elections is against a protocol; however, it is unclear which legal protocol the caller is referring to, and which competent and decision-making body made this decision. Why has there been no official notice to the media thus far, and why has a verbal and telephonic notice replaced an official notification?”
Just one day after the publication of these poll results on Khabar Online, the report was removed from the site. Following this incident, the media outlet wrote in a news piece about the reason for removing its content: “In a phone call, Khabar Online was asked to delete this news, and it was stated that publishing any kind of poll regarding the elections is against a protocol; however, it is unclear which legal protocol the caller is referring to, and which competent and decision-making body made this decision. Why has there been no official notice to the media thus far, and why has a verbal and telephonic notice replaced an official notification?”
In a similar event last October, the head of the newspaper Shargh was summoned following the publication of a poll about the ineffectiveness of the Hijab and Chastity bill. It seems that, after the “Women, Life, Freedom” protests in 2022, the pressure on media outlets to disrupt the free flow of information and limit independent reporting has increased.