Tehran’s Daily Newspaper Review

06 November 2010 | 20:34 Code : 9211 Tehran’s Daily Newspaper Review

Tehran’s newspapers on Tuesday, 11th of Aban; November 2, 2010.

Tehran mayor and presidential aspirant, Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, has found another opportunity to gain favor with the people by saying that the municipality will not increase bus and metro fares. Meanwhile, the Purposeful Subsidies plan continues to occupy the front page of Iranian newspapers.

Hamshahri

Tehran’s Mayor [Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf]: Bus and metro fares won’t increase with [enforcement of] Purposeful Subsidies

180-Hectare National Park to Be Constructed in the South of the Capital

Iran

The Government’s Directive Issued to All Ministries, Guilds, Production and Distribution Units: Price of 22 basic items to remain unchanged

Security Services Impatiently Awaiting Mahdi Hashemi [Rafsanjani] (1)

President at the Closing Ceremony of the 17^th International Fair of Press and News Agencies: Media preach love and kindness among nations

Jomhouri-ye Eslami

President of Religions and Denominations [Hojjat-ol-Eslam Seyyed Ab-ol-Hassan Navvab]: Divisive plots between Shi’a and Sunni aim to neutralize constructive activities of the Islamic Republic

Opposition to Inattentive Decision to Dissolve Iran University of Medical Sciences

Kayhan

Prosecutor General Mohseni Ezhe’i: Judiciary will deal strongly with Purposeful Subsidies saboteurs

With Majles Approval: Disbursement from the national budget to professional sports banned

Ahmadinejad at the Closing Ceremony of Press Festival: Media activity a great responsibility

Khabar

In an Interview with Khabar: Ali Jannati (2) analyses 30 years of Iran-Arab relations [after the 1979 Islamic Revolution of Iran]

Housing Price Won’t Increase with [Enforcement of] Purposeful Subsidies

Resalat

By Islamic Propagation Coordination Council (3): Invitation to join the anti-Imperialism demonstrations of 13^th of Aban [4^th of November] (4)

In the Closing Ceremony of Press Festival; Ahmadinejad: Journalism a great responsibility

[Tehran’s Friday Prayer’s Leader] Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami: Seminary is a supportive critic of the government

Shargh

Ezhe’i in Answer to Shargh: [Detained former Reformist MP, Ali] Shakouri-Rad released after intermediation [reportedly by Grand Ayatollah Shobeiri-Zanjani during Ayatollah Khamenei’s Visit to Qom]

Pro- and Anti-Reformism in the Final Day of [Press and News Agencies] Exhibit: Shargh’s busy day

End of the Bloody Hostage-Taking in Baghdad Church

Tehran-e Emrooz

Municipality Supports the [Purposeful] Subsidies’ Bill; Qalibaf: Despite the government’s refusal to help, we won’t add to bus and metro fares

Majles Shock to Professional Sports

Vatan-e Emrooz

* Note: Khabar and Vatan-e Emrooz do not publish on Thursdays.

(1) Mahdi Hashemi Rafsanjani, son of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, is accused by Ahmadinejad supporters of being the mastermind behind the post-election unrest. He was allegedly a major financial supporter of Mir Hosein Musavi’s presidential campaign, utilizing the financial resources of the Islamic Azad University powerhouse. A few weeks after the June 12^th presidential election, he left the country for Britain and has not yet returned.

(2) Ali Jannati is the son of hard-line cleric Ayatollah Ali Jannati. He served as the ambassador to Kuwait during the terms of three presidents, Hashemi Rafsanjani, Khatami and Ahmadinejad.

(3) Islamic Propagation Coordination Council is the body in charge for arranging government-supported ceremonies and anniversaries (victory of the Islamic Revolution, Day of the Islamic Republic, etc).

(4) 13^th of Aban, 4^th of November, is the anniversary of Ayatollah Khomeini’s exile to Turkey in 1964, the death of Iranian students of Tehran University during the Islamic Revolution in 1978, and, most important of all, the occupation of the US Embassy in Tehran and the taking of American diplomats hostage in 1979.

Trouble with understanding some terms? Check our Glossary of Iranian Political Terms.

Briefing

Hamshahri (Citizen) is the official daily newspaper of Tehran’s Municipality. Its general directions in politics, culture and economy are determined by the mayor of Tehran, currently Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.

Iran is the official organ of the administration.

Jomhouri-ye Eslami (The Islamic Republic) was known as the official organ of the Party of the Islamic Republic, founded in 1979 and disbanded in 1987. Currently, it is an open critique of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s policies and is known to be a mouthpiece of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Kayhan (Universe) is a hard-line conservative newspaper. Its editor-in-chief –currently Hossein Shari’atmadari- is appointed by Iran’s Supreme Leader. Shari’atmadari’s editorials often spark off controversy and debate inside Iranian political circles.

Khabar (News) is a principlist daily newspaper which adopts a critical stance towards Ahmadinejad’s policies.

Resalat (Mission) belongs to the moderate wing of the principlist camp. Resalat’s best known analyst is Amir Mohebbian, its political editor.

Shargh (East) is a moderate reformist newspaper. It was the most popular and influential reformist newspaper in its first period of publication which lasted from August 2003 until September 2006.

Tehran-e Emrooz (Tehran Today) is a ‘principlist reformist’ newspaper, connected to Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.

Vatan-e Emrooz (Motherland Today) -which started its publication in November 2008-, belongs to Mehrdad Bazrpash, the thirty-old pro-Ahmadinejad politician who is also head of Iran’s second largest auto manufacturer company, Saipa. Vatan-e Emrooz is a supporter of the president’s policies.