TEHRAN: Hundreds of journalists in Iran have received an anonymous text message warning against contact with “hostile” organisations outside the country.
According to the details, all contact and collaboration with hostile elements based abroad, by mail or other methods of communication, is a crime and will be brought to justice. This SMS is the last warning,” the message said.
Iranian media reported that as many as 700 journalists and public figures received the SMS on Friday evening.
Lawmaker Ali Motahari said the message had “created worry among journalists. The intelligence ministry cyber-police must find the origin of this SMS and inform the public, and the judiciary must act against those responsible, he said.
The Press Supervisory Board is responsible for the media and other bodies must not interfere. Some journalists who received the message said on social media that they would lodge complaints.
