New reformist paper to be banned

Hayat-e No, one of the longest-lasting reformist newspapers in Iran, is said to be banned from publishing. The reason seems to be an old cartoon by an American cartoonist which was published six decades ago. the cartoon, in which a big finger of Roosvelt is pressing an old man's head, whom hardliners found like Ayatalloah Khomeini. Hard-liner militia gathered in front of the building yesterday and asked for action by the judiciary, although the paper had officialy apologized in the next issue about the misunderstanding. Now Sina Motallebi, a senior staff in Hayat-e No and a well-known blogger, wrote that there are rumors the newspaper is not allowed to be published until the later decision by the court.
Update: Now it's official that Hayat-e No(New Life) is ordered to stop publishing. Another bad news is that a newly re-published newspaper, Bahar (Spring), that was published by the dominant reformist party members, is banned as well, but without any reason. Seems to me that they are cutting every possible way of connection between reformists and the public. Are they preparing to do something really shocking? Posted by hoder at January 11, 2003 4:34 AM