Cultural and media
The second part of this research has adopted an operational approach in discussing the criteria of freedom of expression through tables, statistics and figures. As the attributes to freedom of expression are very extensive and despite the major criteria, it also includes a number of indirect indexes as well, in this part, the freedom of expression indictor is divided into the two categories of direct and indirect (indexes). Direct indictors are the very major criteria for valuing freedom of expression right in the society, such as media, press, elections, political parties, gatherings…the absence or shortage of each would be a definite argument on breaching the right of freedom of expression in this country. However, there are criteria which can affect freedom of expression indirectly. In fact, those factors are in connection with this type of right through a media and are considered a kind of index which on one hand, provide necessary grounds for forming the opportunity of freedom of expression for citizens; such as access to information….and on the other hand, serve as indicators which include the concept of freedom of expression as a concealed variable; such as churches, prayer houses, exhibitions, festivals…where citizens can gather and share their opinions and ideas.