A feminist social movement is taking place in Iran, driven by the death of Mahsa Amini who was detained by the morality police for showing too much hair under her hijab. The protests, led by young women and men, are expressing a range of priorities, but are mostly calling for a change in the system of government. The renewed demand for accountable government and individual freedom has sprung up from the battle over patriarchal control of women’s bodies and paternalistic domination of public space. The movement is likely to have a profound and positive impact on Iranian society and gender relations in the longer term. Read full article here
Research
Improving media literacy could boost trust towards the news, IMPRESS report suggests
The UK media is regulated by the likes of IPSO and Ofcom. The report by press regulator IMPRESS highlights the link between low levels of media literacy and trust in the news. The study found that three quarters of those who did not know if journalists were regulated did not trust the news. It suggests that improving media literacy is one way to stem the erosion of trust, and shows that audiences have an appetite for information on news processes. Stakeholders need to collaborate in order to rebuild trust in the news, and independent media is well placed to do this. Read full article here
Merv
February 1, 2023
