Mr. Bahram Ghasemi
Chargé d'Affaires of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Canada
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Canada
245 Metcalfe Street
Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2K2

October 8, 2009

Dear Mr. Ghasemi,

I am writing on behalf of Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), a non-profit, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect press freedom and freedom of expression around the world.

CJFE is troubled by the Iranian government's decision to shut-down three daily newspapers. Iranian media agencies reported The Association for the Supervision of Publications in Iran had revoked the license of the Shiraz-based Tahleel-e Rooz newspaper on October 7 and Tehran papers Farhang-e Aashti and Arman on October 4.

Though no reason was provided by authorities for the closings, according to local media the three papers had been critical of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and sensitive to protesters following the June 12 election. Media outlets also reported the papers were banned as a method of putting pressure on opposition activists by limiting the spread of information in order to avoid further protests. The BBC Persian network noted Farhang-e Aashti was closed because it was receiving foreign financial support.

Newspapers have been a main target of Iranian authorities since the election, with the ban of the opposition newspaper Etemad Melli in August. The Committee to Protect Journalists has estimated more than 100 publications have been shutdown in Iran in the past decade with Iranian authorities largely aiming to repress pro-reformist dailies.

CJFE calls on the government of Iran to stop these forced closings of local media. All newspapers are essential to informing the Iranian public and should be allowed to continue reporting without censorship or pressure from the government.

We thank you for your attention and look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely,

Arnold Amber, President

c.c.: Mr. Dennis Horak, Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy of Canada to Iran in Tehran
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs