Iran drafts bill to criminalize contacts with foreign institutions and media

A new bill introduced in Iran’s legislative body would tighten the country’s already restrictive media environment by imposing sweeping penalties on individuals and organizations that maintain ties with foreign institutions or engage with foreign‑based media outlets. The proposed legislation expands the scope of existing sanctions, making it harder for journalists, academics, and civil society actors to collaborate internationally or to share information beyond Iran’s borders.

Under the draft, any contact with foreign media—whether through interviews, social‑media posts, or distribution of foreign‑produced content—could trigger fines, imprisonment, or revocation of professional licenses. The bill also targets foreign‑affiliated research groups, universities, and NGOs, threatening to curtail academic exchanges and joint projects that have previously facilitated knowledge transfer into the country. Lawmakers argue the measure is intended to safeguard national security, while critics warn it will further isolate Iran from global discourse.

If passed, the legislation would deepen the information bottleneck that already limits citizens’ access to diverse viewpoints. By criminalizing foreign media engagement, the Iranian government would effectively widen the digital and intellectual divide, potentially stifling investigative reporting and academic inquiry within the nation.