Speaking to Khabar Online, Mahdi Kalhor claimed that the state-run Iranian media do not back the government: "When a new president takes office, these media don't put aside their views and experiences to adapt themselves with new positions. They won't wait to follow what the new president would say."

On the state news daily, "Iran" which is the fervent backer of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Kalhor opined: "Except the first page which covers the statements made by the government and issues related to them, the other pages include news items, features and translations which may basically differ with the first page and it's quite normal."

He also claimed that during the presidency of the reformist leader, Mohammad Khatami, the country's media almost didn't dare to criticize the government: "Everything was represented as fair enough and it caused damage to Mr. Khatami more than the others."

"When his second term of office ended, Mr. Khatami realized that many reports given to him were baseless," he added.

Kalhor believes the only real TV debate in the course of late presidential election campaign was the one between two Principlist candidates, Mohsen Rezaei and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. However as an ally of Ahmadinejad he does not admit to mistakes made by the head of government.

"When the rivals constantly accuse you of lying, you may not tolerate or control such a climate," he declared.

The government said the latest presidential election in Iran on June 12 proved to be a landslide victory for Ahmadinejad, but protest leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mahdi Karroubi declared the election was damaged by widespread irregularities organized to reinstate him.

In Kalhor's view, Ahmadinejad is a key figure spotlighted by the world media. Answering the question, "Do you think the media staffs have the same opinion?" He answered: "I don't care whether they believe it or not." 

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