A video of female stars covered with "photoshopped" clothes during their Oscars speeches has been making the rounds on social media.
The Iranian Labor News Agency (ILNA), an Iranian news agency belonging to a labor union set up by the Iranian government, reportedly broadcast the Oscars with a side of censorship.
In the video, you can see layers of black and blurred marks added to South African actress Charlize Theron's attire and Iranian astronomer Anousheh Ansari's gown as they were presenting the awards and speeches during the Academy Awards.
The video was shared by the Facebook page, My Stealthy Freedom, a lobbying organization aimed to raise awareness on Iran's rules and regulations when it comes to women.
“At a time when Farhadi chooses an astronaut and NASA scientist to prove a point about human rights not having ‘borders,’ the Islamic Republic of Iran does the complete opposite by using Farhadi’s wonderful Oscars statement for their own propaganda while blind to the meaning of his point,” Masih Alinejad, the founder of the organization, wrote.
Iranian director Asghar Farhadi's film The Salesman was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film and won big during the 89th Acadmey Awards - making it his second-ever Oscar win.
However, the Iranian filmmaker alongside the lead actress in the film, Taraneh Alidoosti, boycotted the Oscars in protest of Trump's now-frozen "Muslim ban."
"I'm sorry I'm not with you tonight. My absence is out of respect for the people of my country, and those of [the] other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S.," Farhadi's speech read.
Anousheh Ansari, the first Iranian and first self-funded astronaut, accepted the award on behalf of Farhadi – delivering a powerful statement penned by the filmmaker.
Although Ansari's attire was fairly modest, ILNA blurred a part of her exposed shoulder.
Iranian women who appear on Iran's state television wear a hijab that covers their hair, arms and legs, according to The Guardian.
Foreigners that appear on state TV have less restrictions when it comes to their attire. The hijab is not mandatory, however exposure of skin is only tolerated to a certain level.
Has this happened before?
During the 2016 Olympic Games, a video of women athletes covered with black bars and asterisks made the rounds online.
People claimed the video was broadcast on an Iranian sports channel, however the claim was proved to be false.
The video that began circulating turned out to be three years old, according to Snopes.
Could this one be a hoax as well?
In 2013, Iran's Fars news agency photoshopped images of Michelle Obama at the Oscars (quite professionally, however).
The channel redesigned the then U.S. first lady's dress with silver embroidered material to cover her chest and shoulders. Obama was announcing that Argo had won best picture.