puting, for filtering Internet content. 24 Secure Computing denied any knowledge of
the use of their products in Iran. 25 The use of Western technology was problematic
for both the companies involved and the Iranian government. For the companies,
involvement in Internet censorship in Iran was a public relations liability, as they
were viewed as contributing to the suppression of legitimate speech, if not breaking
U.S. law by violating trade sanctions against Iran. For the Iranian government, the reliance on Western technologies was seen as a source of weakness and a potential vulnerability for the integrity of the Iranian Internet. Some within Iran were concerned that
Western software might include a ‘‘backdoor’’ that would give outsiders access to key
infrastructure. 26
Several Iranian technology companies are now producing hardware and software
products for use in the Iranian filtering system. 27 Domestically produced technology
is currently used for filtering. Iranian technology is also used for searching the Internet
for objectionable content and tracking keywords and links to banned Web sites, which
are used by filtering authorities to make blocking decisions. 28 With the emergence of
this domestic technical capacity, Iran joins China as the only countries that aggressively filter the Internet using their own technology.
The legal structures for enforcing speech restrictions in Iran are ambitious in their
reach and offer authorities several alternatives for targeting objectionable speech and
implementing the wide mandate to curtail a broad range of impermissible speech
in Iran. Significant ambiguity in the statutes and directives used to regulate speech in
Iran leaves the agencies charged with executing these laws with broad discretionary
powers.
The Press Law of 1986 is the principal instrument for regulating media in Iran and
frames the boundaries of permissible speech by media. This legislation is unusual in
that it not only describes restricted speech but also lays out normative objectives for
the press, who are required to ‘‘propagate and promote genuine Islamic culture and
sound ethical principles.’’ 29 The Press Law outlines broad restrictions on speech,
including prohibitions on ‘‘promoting subjects that might damage the foundation of
the Islamic Republic . . . offending the Leader of the Revolution . . . or quoting articles
from the deviant press, parties or groups that oppose Islam (inside and outside the
country) in such a manner as to propagate such ideas . . . or encouraging and instigating individuals and groups to act against the security, dignity and interests of the
Islamic Republic of Iran.’’ 30 Other provisions prohibit insulting Islam or senior religious authorities. 31
The application of this law to Web sites and blogs in Iran has been contested. An
amendment to the Press Law in 2000 appears to have brought electronic publications
under the aegis of the law. 32 In April 2009, another amendment to the Press Law was
passed by the Iranian parliament that could facilitate the application of Press Law to
online sources of content. The 2009 amendment stipulates that ‘‘the rules stated in
Iran
549
the use of their products in Iran. 25 The use of Western technology was problematic
for both the companies involved and the Iranian government. For the companies,
involvement in Internet censorship in Iran was a public relations liability, as they
were viewed as contributing to the suppression of legitimate speech, if not breaking
U.S. law by violating trade sanctions against Iran. For the Iranian government, the reliance on Western technologies was seen as a source of weakness and a potential vulnerability for the integrity of the Iranian Internet. Some within Iran were concerned that
Western software might include a ‘‘backdoor’’ that would give outsiders access to key
infrastructure. 26
Several Iranian technology companies are now producing hardware and software
products for use in the Iranian filtering system. 27 Domestically produced technology
is currently used for filtering. Iranian technology is also used for searching the Internet
for objectionable content and tracking keywords and links to banned Web sites, which
are used by filtering authorities to make blocking decisions. 28 With the emergence of
this domestic technical capacity, Iran joins China as the only countries that aggressively filter the Internet using their own technology.
The legal structures for enforcing speech restrictions in Iran are ambitious in their
reach and offer authorities several alternatives for targeting objectionable speech and
implementing the wide mandate to curtail a broad range of impermissible speech
in Iran. Significant ambiguity in the statutes and directives used to regulate speech in
Iran leaves the agencies charged with executing these laws with broad discretionary
powers.
The Press Law of 1986 is the principal instrument for regulating media in Iran and
frames the boundaries of permissible speech by media. This legislation is unusual in
that it not only describes restricted speech but also lays out normative objectives for
the press, who are required to ‘‘propagate and promote genuine Islamic culture and
sound ethical principles.’’ 29 The Press Law outlines broad restrictions on speech,
including prohibitions on ‘‘promoting subjects that might damage the foundation of
the Islamic Republic . . . offending the Leader of the Revolution . . . or quoting articles
from the deviant press, parties or groups that oppose Islam (inside and outside the
country) in such a manner as to propagate such ideas . . . or encouraging and instigating individuals and groups to act against the security, dignity and interests of the
Islamic Republic of Iran.’’ 30 Other provisions prohibit insulting Islam or senior religious authorities. 31
The application of this law to Web sites and blogs in Iran has been contested. An
amendment to the Press Law in 2000 appears to have brought electronic publications
under the aegis of the law. 32 In April 2009, another amendment to the Press Law was
passed by the Iranian parliament that could facilitate the application of Press Law to
online sources of content. The 2009 amendment stipulates that ‘‘the rules stated in
Iran
549