The political affiliations of supposedly independent newspapers’ owners and executives result in their narratives adhering closely to those of the government. The permit holders of lesser-known reformist newspapers such as Hamdeli and Arman Melli have similar backgrounds. These newspapers closely represent official factions of the Islamic Republic and not varying or opposing points of view. During a week of protests, Sazandegi published articles supporting the government’s decision to increase gas prices. These “independent” Iranian newspapers are neither independent, nor do they take a balanced look at political and societal events.