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: "