Rouhani acknowledges that free press does not exist in Iran.

Rouhani acknowledges that free press does not exist in Iran.
Hassan Rouhani acknowledges censorship in Iran.
Iranian regime president Hassan Rouhani admits that there is no free pressure in Iran. The recognition came during a meeting with senior officials and managers of the regime's Ministry of Information and Communication Technology on Monday.



However, Rouhani did not say what he intended to do to reduce the regime's control over state media.

His recognition should be interpreted as a sign of increased power struggle between the clergy 's various factions before growing popular dissatisfaction with the priesthood.

“We believe we have received a divine authority that gives us the right to order people. So it's not ... We have state pressure, state television and radio, "Rouhani said.

He then blamed the increased use of social media in Iran for the lack of free press. He argued that people would not have to turn to social media if the regime allowed non-governmental media to exist.

"[The people] say anything [on social media] because they have no other place to express themselves," Rouhani said, complaining that the people are abusing social media.

He also warned that the regime's attempts to filter the Internet or ban some social media have failed.

The warning indirectly aimed at the people's active use of social media to bypass the regime's censorship, organize protests and spread video clips from regime-critical demonstrations.

Rouhani stressed during the meeting that it was time to educate the people on how to use the internet.

The clergy expert council recently concluded that social media is a serious threat to the regime and the clergy of the priesthood. This is because many of the social media companies are based in the US and are under the supervision of US authorities.

“The question is not whether to use social media. This is just like when the radio first came, some said they shouldn't use it even though it was impossible, "said Ahmad Khatami, spokesman for the expert council.

“You have to use new spaces and facilities. The most important thing is to make sure that these are not used to overthrow the state before we allow social media. Responsible officials must use their authority to counteract this trend, ”he said after the expert council meeting with the regime's Information and Communication Technology Ministry on January 17.