Iran's+Freedom+Report

Iran's Freedom Report Political Rights Score: 6 Civil Liberties Score: 6 Status: Not Free

Iran's current political rights score and downward trend are mostly due to the large scale fraud in the 2009 presidential election and the fierce suppression of public demonstrations sparked by this fraud. The general violation of both the right to vote legitimately and protest were not the only reasons for this score, however. The most powerful member in the government is the supreme leader, who is chosen by a body of 86 clerics, who are elected. This individual has de facto control over the appointments in the ministries of Defense, Intelligence, and the Interior.

Freedom of expression is severely restricted with thee government directly controlling all television and radio broadcasting. It is illegal to own a satellite and can carry heavy fines for infractions. Even the purchase of satellite images from abroad is illegal. The Ministry of Culture determines what can be published in the country by approving domestic books and inspecting foreign publications before they are allowed to be distributed. The media also controls what current events are allowed to be covered and how they are portrayed. No journalist is allowed to publish anything that could be seen as insulting Islam. In addition, there is very little religious freedom in Iran. While in theory other are accepted, in practice they are discriminated against. There is also no academic freedom and the government decides what is suitable to teach.

Countries who also received this score included Vietnam and Zimbabwe.