Iran’s Press Supervisory Board* acted after the paper – which has covered mainly economic issues for 17 years - reported comments by a well-known health professional that the number of deaths was up to 20 times the official figure.
Management at the paper were informed of the ban in a telephone call.
In a statement the TAoJ said the action was unlawful. “We believe that this action took place at a time when the journalistic profession is in its most unstable days, and now we must witness the escalation of this crisis, with the unemployment of a number of our colleagues in this newspaper".
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “At a time of a global health crisis it is vital citizens have access to independent information on which they can act and base decisions. Jahan Sanaat reported valid comments by a well-known health expert. Such a ban is an outrageous response and should be lifted immediately”.
*The Press Supervisory Board is a governmental body which decides who can own or run print media and issues licences for it and at times withdraws the right to print, banning the media from working.