Defamation in Media in International Law and the Law of Iran

Defamation in media is a normal and probable matter in media. Special nature of media necessitates a legal system of defamation in media. Therefore، some legal systems recognized some advantages for defamations in media. Restricted immunity is one of these advantages، which the courts should consider in the process of defamation disputes. In the law of Iran، not only there is no attention to restrictive immunity but also legislature has extended defamation samples in media in compare with the defamations samples that could be happened by natural persons. However، the reason lies in the public and broadcasting characteristics of media; however، this strategy could be challenged with the principle of free speech in the international law. It is necessary that legal system on defamation in media is modified with respect to the special nature of media. Then it is possible to determine proper system of distribution of responsibility towards the media’s casts for defamations happened in media.