Iran: new daily Ruzgar to replace banned Sharq - agency

Posted by Bertrand Pecquerie on October 5, 2006 at 4:21 PM

A new daily is soon to be published in the place of the banned newspaper Sharq. According to Alborz news, the new daily, called Ruzgar [Time] plans to pursue an alternative approach to that adopted by Sharq. But, despite the alternative approach, the new daily will be run by Sharq's former editorial board.

The editor-in-chief of Ruzgar will be Mohammad Quchani, who was Sharq's editor-in-chief.

But, contrary to Sharq's approach, the new daily will take a slant toward the public instead of the elite. The decision is aimed at establishing a serious presence in the country's political sphere, and forming a closer link with the general public, in keeping with the reformist front's new programme of action.

Ruzgar will be published in full colour, consisting of 24 pages. It will possibly appear in a new graphic style. Sharq's editorial board has been told to report for work. If all goes well, the first edition of the new daily should appear on news stands on 7 October 2006.

Source: Iranian news website Alborz, (in Persian) through BBC Monitoring

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