Marking the first time the judiciary candidly mentioned the prohibition, Iranian judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei told reporters on Feb. 16 that Iranian media remain banned from covering statements and pictures of former Reformist President Mohammad Khatami. But Iranians, who have turned to social media to voice their opposition or support for something, have defied the ban.
Several pages were made on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter (both blocked in Iran) among others to protest the ban. Multiple hashtags were used with the most popular ones being “we will be Khatami’s media” and “Mr. Special” among others.