Iran shuts down magazines for featuring ‘corrupt’ film stars

IRAN’S Culture Ministry yesterday announced the closure of nine cinema and lifestyle magazines for publishing pictures and stories about “corrupt” foreign film stars and promoting “superstitions”.

The Press Supervisory Board also sent warning notes to 13 other publications and magazines on “observing the provisions of the press law”, the ministry said on its website.

It was not clear why the nine magazines were targeted. They focus on light lifestyle features, family advice and news of celebrities. They regularly publish photos of Iranian actresses in loose headscarves, as well as foreign female film stars without head coverings — but nothing more revealing than what is tolerated on some state media.