As military tensions escalate between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel, the Tehran Prosecutor’s Office has initiated legal cases against several media outlets and activists on the grounds of what it termed “spreading false news or creating terror undermining the psychological security of society.”
Mizan, the news agency affiliated with the judiciary, reported on October 4, 2024 (Mehr 13, 1403), without naming the individuals or media organizations facing charges, that the Tehran Prosecutor’s Office stated: “By monitoring social media and identifying violators, charges have been filed against some individuals, some have faced judicial actions, and warnings have been issued to others.”
Mizan elaborated on the accusations against these individuals or media outlets, stating: “In recent days, some social media accounts on platforms such as X, Telegram channels, and online activists have engaged in spreading false news or creating fear in a way that undermines the psychological security of society.”
The Tehran Prosecutor’s action against media outlets, media activists, and journalists is a repeated pattern following significant social events in Iran, similar to actions taken in April this year after the IRGC’s missile-drone attack on Israel from Iranian territory.
Following significant social events in Iran, judicial and security authorities, in coordination with the Islamic Republic’s propaganda apparatus, are working to disrupt free information dissemination in order to promote the official narrative of the regime and prevent independent narratives from becoming the dominant discourse among citizens.