TEHRAN -- The cultural advisor of President Hassan Rouhani has said that the Association of Iranian Journalists will reopen with a new name.
“The fact that the community of journalists of Iran has the right to have a strong professional organization has been recognized by this government,” Hessameddin Ashena told the Persian service of ISNA on Tuesday.
“Backing the plan to establish a professional press system is the top priority of the Press Office of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance,” he added.
In his presidential campaign, Rouhani had promised to reopen the Association of Iranian Journalists, which was closed down by the government under former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in August 2009.
The association was established in 1997 at the onset of the presidency of reformist Mohammad Khatami to protect the professional rights of Iranian journalists. In 2008, it had about 4000 members.
The association faced systematic harassment from government authorities under Ahmadinejad’s administration.
Ashena said that the Press Office is currently revising the law of the media and professional press system.
“The process of revision is expected to end in the first half of the (Iranian calendar) year,” he stated and added concerning the revisions, “The outcome must be approved by the Majlis.
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