Representation of Citizenship in Iran's Press

This article surveys the representation of citizenship concept in Iran's press, status of government, as well as differences in representation of citizenship concept between conservative and reformist newspapers.According to the importance of qualitative dimensions of citizenship concept, this research utilizes critical discourse analysis and Norman Fairclough,s model. Researchers selected 30 editorials out of all published in six highly circulating newspapers which belong to two major political trends (conservatives & reformists).Editorials were analyzed in three levels of description, commentary and explication with respect to the represented image of citizenship concept. Results indicate that, dominant discourse about citizenship in Iran's press is Liberal discourse. In reformist's views, political and civil rights, specially, free speech and election and in conservative's views, welfare, livelihood and economy are the most important rights of citizenry. All titles are highly impressed by current discourses of reformist and conservative. Therefore, writing about citizenship is a field of battle for these two main rivals rather than taking to account the explanation of this concept.