Censorship tightened on Iran television

Iran has banned TV programmes showing half-naked men and love triangles, the semi-official Fars news agency has reported, in the latest sign of a conservative crackdown on media in the Islamic state.

It was not clear what prompted the ban – Iran TV, which has a monopoly in the country, dedicates large parts of its schedule to religious shows and announcements from the government.

But viewers were gripped a few years ago by a soap opera called Forbidden Fruit which told the tale of an old man who decided to leave his wife after falling in love with a young girl.

“Based on a new instruction, the broadcasting of programmes that show tempting love triangles is banned,” Fars said.

“Showing half-naked men in Iranian and foreign productions is also banned,” the report said.

Since the 1979 revolution TV shows and films have had to comply with religious values. The restrictions have pushed many Iranians to turn to illegal satellite channels.