Despite an improvement in its international relations, Iran is still one of the world’s most oppressive countries as regards freedom of information. Newspapers and journalists continue to fall victim to the power struggles among the regime’s various factions. The 1986 media law (amended in 2000 and in 2009 to include online publications) allows the authorities to ensure that news and information providers do not “endanger the Islamic Republic,” “offend the Supreme Leader” or “disseminate false information.”