Post-Protest Censorship: Iranian Authors Excluded Without Book Review

Following the 2022 nationwide protests in Iran, several publishers have taken a stand against censorship imposed by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. 

Maryam Kian Afraz, a director at Kian Afraz Publishing, voiced her discontent on Instagram, criticizing members of the country's publishing guild for remaining silent in the face of the suffering of oppressed people.

Publishers like Youssef Ansari, Mustafa Mastour and Vahid Hedayati joined her protest, declaring that they would no longer send any work to the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance for approval.

However, not all figures in the literary and cultural sphere believe in the effectiveness of this approach. 

A young writer, whose identity won’t be disclosed for security reasons, recounted to IranWire his recent experience of censorship:

"The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance rejected all the stories in my first book.

"They didn't suggest any amendments or revisions, they simply stated that none of the stories could be published.

"The publisher informed me that my personal details, including my national identification number, were provided to the censors. They cited my online activities as grounds for questioning my suitability as an author. Essentially, they scrutinized me rather than my book."

This writer’s experience sheds light on the challenges faced by publishers in Iran, where censorship often extends beyond artistic expression to individuals themselves.

An experienced writer told IranWire that since the 1979 revolution, he has observed a pattern of what he terms "selective" policies by the institutions overseeing culture and the arts. 

He noted that there has been a continual clash within these institutions, with few exceptions.

"One such exception was during the reformist period, while currently, under the authority of extremists, any semblance of openness has been stifled," he said. 

Drawing from personal experience of censorship in his own works, the author highlighted the lack of clear rules and regulations governing the censorship process in Iran. 

"Book censors may exhibit sensitivity towards ideological, political, or even erotic content," he  explained. 

He cited instances where political books have been approved despite containing sensitive material, while others addressing erotic themes or challenging mandatory hijab rule faced blanket rejection. 

Publishers are cautioned against accepting such material amid the threat that their reputations could be tarnished.

Mustafa Fallahian, an Iranian playwright, is among the many authors who have financed the publication of their works independently. 

Speaking to IranWire about the censorship he faces, he said, "Every piece I submitted for approval without self-censorship was denied authorization and never saw the light of day. That's been the consistent approach."

"When a piece fails to receive approval, I publish it on my personal platform. I print 100 copies of the work and, once they're sold, I publish it again."

He recalled submitting his first collection of stories, "The Tempting Paper," to the "Ministry of Censorship" in 2006, only to have it rejected. 

"From then until now, the situation hasn't changed. Works that cross the red lines, or as publishers put it, don't conform to what's deemed permissible, face the same fate," he said. 

Reflecting on the historical context of censorship in Iran, Fallahian says, "Often, writers have faced punishment for their unpublished works or for not seeking government approval. I've always known I'd encounter censorship as a critical thinker who has witnessed how questioning is treated."

"Despite facing financial losses, I refuse to succumb to censorship or self-censorship," he said.