Freedom and Expediency in Media Governance Based on the Views of Na’ini

Objective: The question of the ratio of freedom and expediency in the form of governance in a political framework has always been one of the fundamental issues of modern societies. On the other hand, in the contemporary world, the media, as a key tool, play a decisive role in governance. In Iran, the challenges and ambiguities of governance and, consequently, media governance have doubled the need to re-examine Shiite political thought, and especially the opinions of one of its leading jurists, Mohaqiq Na'ini, in order to reduce this ambiguity. Therefore, the present study aims to explain the ratio of freedom and expediency in media governance, based on Na'ini's opinions.

Method: This study employs a qualitative approach, using an analytical-descriptive method, library-based sources and documents, and a three-stage thematic coding procedure. In addition, a comparative approach is used to compare the principles derived from Na'ini's thought with dominant Western models of media governance.

Findings: The findings of Naini’s media governance characteristics can be represented in the form of six principles: “credential-specific”, “authority-proper guardianship”, “fiduciary”, “contractual-customary”, “legal” (based on the constitution) and “partisan”. These principles suggest a “fiduciary” media governance model in which the will based on individual freedom and supervision based on public interest are in a stable balance.

Conclusion: The results indicate that the proposed framework can be considered as a credible model in Iranian media policy-making, which, despite overlaps with Western approaches,