JOURNALISM IN PERSIA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 20, 14 May 1892, Page 497

JOURNALISM IN PERSIA.

ALTHOUGH journalism in Persia has made many advances during the last few years, its progress is still hampered by numerous restrictions. During the last visit of the Shah to Europe nothing impressed him more, according to Persian reports, than the devotion of Parisian cabmen to their morning papers. This devotion, it is said, led him to establish a ministry of the press upon his return to his dominions, and to place at its head Mohammed Dovbet, the Persian historian. Under his sway ten newspapers have been established. The Star, the Lion and the Iran give up their space entirely to news from the interior parts of Persia. Each article or dispatch, however, invariably begins with the following words : • Thanks to the care and justice exercised by the Governor in this province, the country is in a fortunate condition, and the people, who pray continually for his Majesty, are happy.’ After that flattering introduction, which does honour to the Persian censor, the narration of the particular incident follows. In Teheran and Ispahan there are three papers devoted to the publication of foreign news. An illustrated paper, the Schcre, often contains portraits of Persian and European celebrities.