News at Eleven: The letter says increased censorship in Iran

has led to a decrease in the number of books that are being published.

It goes on to say, "In reality, this method amounts to hostage taking of freedom of expression, creativity, and the livelihood of writers by the government in order to impose its ideas on the authors."

Writer and poet Farkhondeh Hajizadeh, a signatory, told RFE/RL Radio Farda broadcaster Mohammad Zarghami that the situation had led to self-censorship among writers and publishers.

from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Iranian Writers, Poets Call For End To Book Censorship

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