Freedom in Iran!!

Given what is going on in Iran, this statement by the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament- Haddad Aadel- is a little rich: “Those who wish to serve the people would never have any problem with the free flow of information. Only corrupt people would have anything against the Free press and free expression”. These are fine words, but, why a government of which Mr Aadel is one of its main politicians is curtailing freedom and free press!
This said, the question then is, why the Islamic Republic of Iran is spending a huge sum of money to filter the Internet, and why have they closed down more than 120 newspapers in the last 3 years! Why there is a large number of Iranians in prison for simply expressing their opinion?