Iranian journalist Mashallah Shamsolvaezin has criticized the new administration for failing to take any effective steps toward freedom of the press.

Shamsolvaezin says: “In the media field, there has been no change with the arrival of the new government.”

Shamsolvaezin, the editor in chief of Neshat daily, which has been blocked from publishing, told ILNA: “In the past and under the former administration, the Ministry of Guidance’s press branch would accept media community members with open arms. They would talk with them, but it would all end up with no result.”

He added that the Rohani government is operating in exactly the same manner.

He reported on the publication of Neshat, saying: “There appears to be no obstacle to launching it, all the officials are highly encouraging, but nothing positive happens and were doomed to remaining hopeful.”

Neshat and another publication, Hammihan, were promised they could begin production this fall, but the process has been halted by the judiciary.

Radio Zamaneh