Dr Morteza Sharifi against Stuff

Stuff published an article on June 27, 2025, titled Golriz Ghahraman: It’s time for another Iranian revolution.

The article was an interview with Golriz Ghahraman in which she spoke about the conflict with Israel and Iran, that the current situation made it ripe for another revolution, but that was unlikely to happen while Israeli and US bombs fell. 

Morteza Sharifi objected to Stuff using Golriz Ghahraman as a commentator on Iran’s political future as she lacked expertise, and the presentation of her views as credible misled readers.

“I am writing to express my profound concern and indignation regarding your decision to publish an interview with Golriz Ghahraman, a convicted shoplifter with a documented history of mental health challenges, as a commentator on the complex and sensitive matter of Iran’s political future."

“While I agree Iranians seek democracy and revolution, I believe Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi is the legitimate leader of the opposition to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Ms Ghahraman’s depiction of the Shah as a dictator, omission of Iran’s suspicious nuclear proliferation, and failure to note some Iranians’ support for Israeli strikes are misleading. Stuff failed to fact-check these claims."

He believed the article breached Principle (1) Accuracy, Fairness and Balance (4) Comment and Fact, and (6) Headlines and Captions.

In response Stuff said it stood by its decision to publish the article which was clearly presented as an interview with Ms Ghahraman reflecting her personal views as an Iranian-born New Zealander. It acknowledged other voices exist within the diaspora and in Iran, and it remained open to publishing a range of perspectives on this important issue.

The Media Council notes the article was clearly headlined as Ms Ghahraman’s view on the current situation in Iran.

Despite recent events leading to her resignation as an MP, she is still probably the most widely known Iranian New Zealander.  She spent her first nine years living in Iran and has family there. In the view of the Media Council her opinions on the situation in Iran are of interest to the public. As her history as a child refugee, shoplifting convictions and resignation were spelt out, readers were not misled. They were well able to make their own assessment as to whether her opinions had merit.

The article was clearly one person’s opinion, but Stuff made it clear they remained open to publish other perspectives.  This was demonstrated when it published an item on July 9 written by Jewish Council spokesperson Juliet Moses under the headline Opinion: Golriz Ghahraman is wrong about Iran in which she challenged the claim that Iran was not a war-mongering regime.

There was nothing to support a claim that the Media Council’s Principles were breached with this publication.

Decision:  No grounds to proceed.