As Iranian, I disagree! Those reporter of western mainstream media (last time I watched France24) which have a presence there needs to incorporate some propaganda and reports within the red lines at best. Otherwise, like many others they will be asked to leave the country or if they be Iranian correspondents they even can face serious charges (some form of treason)!
As Iranian, I usually watch with good amounts of doubts such reports with their Iran correspondence. The last time, the anchor said: "It's very good that we have you over there, let me ask...". For me, it was Nope! It actually worse than we have you over there. It means you need to conform!
It was even more surprising later for me that even in the western main stream media, the regime propaganda is the main voice that I hear, believe it or not you can research the NIAC network (Iran under-cover lobbyists) and see how often they're consulted as journalists/commentators on Iran issue in those medias.
I agree, there is a lack of resources here and Iranian journalists are responsible in part. But in defense there are not much hope/resources for independent journalism overall not only on this matter but almost any other. Simply money talks and sifting through that needs focus and great deal of time!
I'm Iranian just like the OP above. There is no doubt this narrative is the narrative of Basij which their propaganda outlets constantly put out. For further detail see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basij
However, for those who are not familiar with such jargon, Alir3z4, basically says it's good thing that his Supreme leader filtered out candidates. So then the people can select from "good" choices. Otherwise people would have select X, Y and Z which are bad. The argument needs no counter-argument other than removing the jargon...
I encourage the interested to read his other comments to take a first hand look how the regime internal propaganda put together. For fabrications and their constant strive for western mainstream media propaganda machine, you may look into NIAC and all its delicate network: usually they're commentator or journalists at NYT (e.g. Farnaz Fasihi), Washington post, CNN (Trita Parsi), Independent (Negar Mortazavi), BBC, etc. That's another more fascinating story.
This hardline/moderate is a myth at least for last 15 years. However, the Iran lobbyist (e.g. NIAC) keep this narrative alive. Even in the 2000s era, the crack in the structure were minor. The so called moderator didn't had the motivation to really change anything substantial. It turns out they just wanted to use the people vote as a bargain to re-incorporate them into power (that fraction was in power in 80s but then kicked out). The regime is pure hardliner bcz this is a regime that the whole power has been consolidated under the hand of supreme leader (and this is why people in the streets called him dictator). The parliament/president and the election is just a joke! A show! They've re-define almost any word and void it from meaning.
The Supreme Ayatollah has a flexible user interface (UI) for the "West". When he wants to retreats: It wears the so called moderate president (Khatami, Rohani) and when the business is as usual he shows his teeth (Ahmadinejad, Raisi). The so called "president" is a joke. The last one (Raisi) has basically no self-agency, he is all ears for his leader and openly is proud about it! The previous ones weren't much different but at least they put up a show or a fuss when they told to do something. But this last one is perfect pawn (A soldier of leader as he puts it): "Sarbaze Velayat". The show was such a joke that in the last presidential selection: The supreme leader even eliminated his own long time friends and allies such as Larijani* and played Qalibaf to reduce the chance of any uncertainty (+). Note even with those eliminated in the run, it was still selection between potato vs potato...
+ Uncertainty because previously people have tried to select the least favorable one for the grand Ayatollah, this time he didn't want to tolerate even that level of surprise! He has no fun!
As Iranian, I usually watch with good amounts of doubts such reports with their Iran correspondence. The last time, the anchor said: "It's very good that we have you over there, let me ask...". For me, it was Nope! It actually worse than we have you over there. It means you need to conform!
It was even more surprising later for me that even in the western main stream media, the regime propaganda is the main voice that I hear, believe it or not you can research the NIAC network (Iran under-cover lobbyists) and see how often they're consulted as journalists/commentators on Iran issue in those medias.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Iranian_American_Coun...
I agree, there is a lack of resources here and Iranian journalists are responsible in part. But in defense there are not much hope/resources for independent journalism overall not only on this matter but almost any other. Simply money talks and sifting through that needs focus and great deal of time!