If you casually followed the news over the weekend, you might have been led to believe that two of the world’s most oppressive regimes have blinked in the face of mass civil unrest.
In Iran, after weeks-long protests sparked by the killing of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini at the hands of the Islamic Republic’s so-called morality police for improper wearing of the hijab, it was reported that Iran’s attorney general announced that the government was abolishing the morality police and may loosen hijab requirements. But it’s far from certain that either will take place. Borzou Daragahi, an international correspondent at the Independent and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, said, “Iran’s attorney general has made some ambiguous statements that could possibly be construed as an end to the morality police, but may also suggest that judiciary wants to disassociate itself from the institution. Statements cited in the press do not equal a change in policy.”
In China, where unprecedented nationwide demonstrations erupted over the Chinese Communist Party’s “zero-Covid” measures, it’s been reported that some cities have begun easing restrictions. But claims of a complete exit from extreme lockdown are still some way off.
Western media, and consumers of media, must be wary of claims made by regimes seeking to evade both internal and external pressures.