News

“The oppressive powers are trying to reach their objectives by bombarding people with news,” Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying yesterday by the official Islamic Republic News Agency. “By publishing lies, they portray the most corrupt individuals as heroes and the best as isolated and crooked.”

Iranian authorities have accused Western governments of fomenting unrest after Ahmadinejad was declared the winner in June presidential elections. Opposition leaders said the results were rigged and at least 30 people were killed following mass protests after the balloting, according to official figures. Hundreds of protesters were arrested and remain in custody.

State television should show “national determination” by broadcasting government policies, IRNA cited Ahmadinejad as saying. “Giving news in line with the thoughts and ideals of the Islamic Republic is the only way to fight against the regimes of oppression and arrogance,” Ahmadinejad told a gathering of journalists, IRNA reported.