Oscars 2013 Cover-up: Iran Photoshops Michelle Obama Into A Demure Dress (PICTURE)

Oscars 2013 Cover-up: Iran Photoshops Michelle Obama Into A Demure Dress (PICTURE)
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It was a classy ensemble by anyone's standards, but First Lady Michelle Obama's Oscars frock was given a demure makeover by an Iranian news agency nonetheless.

Obama was beamed live from the White House via a video link to present the Best Picture award at Oscars on Sunday, dressed in a thin-strapped metallic dress.

But screenshots of her surprise appearance were doctored by Iran's semi-official Fars news agency to give the dress (admittedly still short) sleeves.

PHOTO (Getty):

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PHOTO (Fars News Agency):

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The Photoshop alterations were undoubtedly made so as the photograph would comply with strict rules enforced by Iranian media censors.

As for Obama's announcement that Argo was the winning picture, Fars described the film as an "anti-Iranian movie" produced by Hollywood "Zionists".

The Guardian points out Iranian women shown on Iran's state television are required to cover their hair, arms and legs with a hijab. Foreign women travelling within the Islamic republic must comply with the same rules, but those shown on TV will be "tolerated without a hijab, up to a point."

This is not the first time publications have altered images of U.S. leaders. A Brooklyn-based Hasidic newspaper removed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and another woman from the iconic photograph of leaders watching the raid that killed Osama bin Laden from the Situation Room. The paper eventually apologised for the editing job, but said the decision was for religious purposes and cited the "laws of modesty" that govern the publication.

An Egyptian state newspaper also came under fire when it altered a photograph of Middle Eastern leaders, including then-President Hosni Mubarak, meeting with President Obama. The newspaper moved Mubarak from his position walking behind Obama and the other leaders to appearing in front of everyone.

And EU foreign policy chief Baroness Ashton also felt the kiss of the Photoshop brush - with her neckline being raised in photographs taken of her next to Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalilil, the BBC spied.

49 Of Michelle Obama's Best Looks
March 2005(01 of49)
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At the 36th Annual NAACP Image Awards. (credit:WireImage)
January 2008(02 of49)
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At the South Carolina primary. (credit:AFP/Getty)
February 2008(03 of49)
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At the Super Tuesday primary vote results rally in Chicago. (credit:AFP/Getty)
August 2008(04 of49)
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At a rally in Springfield, Ill. (credit:AFP/Getty)
August 2008(05 of49)
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At the Democratic National Convention. (credit:Getty)
November 2008(06 of49)
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At a rally in Springfield, Miss. (credit:AFP/Getty)
November 2008(07 of49)
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On election night in Chicago. (credit:Getty)
January 2009(08 of49)
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At the Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. (credit:Getty)
January 2009(09 of49)
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At the Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C. (credit:AFP/Getty)
February 2009(10 of49)
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To honor Stevie Wonder. (credit:Getty)
April 2009(11 of49)
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In Baden Baden, Germany. (credit:Getty)
September 2009(12 of49)
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At the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Phoenix Awards Dinner. (credit:Getty)
October 2009(13 of49)
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On the White House lawn. (credit:Getty)
November 2009(14 of49)
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Greeting India's Prime Minister at the White House. (credit:Bloomberg via Getty)
January 2010(15 of49)
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At the State of the Union address. (credit:Getty)
January 2010(16 of49)
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Speaking on childhood obesity in Alexandria, Va. (credit:Getty)
May 2010(17 of49)
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At a Cinco de Mayo reception in Washington, D.C. (credit:Getty)
May 2010(18 of49)
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To greet the President of Mexico at the White House. (credit:Getty)
September 2010(19 of49)
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At the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's 33rd Annual Awards Gala. (credit:Getty)
September 2010(20 of49)
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In Pocantico Hills, N.Y. (credit:Getty)
September 2010(21 of49)
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At the annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Phoenix Awards dinner. (credit:AFP/Getty)
December 2011 in Cushnie et Ochs(22 of49)
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(AFP/Getty photo)
December 2011 in Rodarte(23 of49)
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(AFP/Getty photo)
December 2011 in Vera Wang(24 of49)
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(AFP/Getty photo)
November 2011 in Vera Wang(25 of49)
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(AFP/Getty photo)
November 2011 (26 of49)
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(AFP/Getty photo)
November 2011 in Roksanda Ilincic (27 of49)
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(Getty photo)
October 2011 in Doo-Ri Chung(28 of49)
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(AFP/Getty photo)
October 2011 in Thakoon(29 of49)
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(AP photo)
October 2011 in Chris Benz(30 of49)
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(Getty photo)
September 2011 in Michael Kors(31 of49)
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(Getty photo)
September 2011 in Chris Benz(32 of49)
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(Getty photo)
September 2011 in Maria Pinto(33 of49)
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(AFP photo)
September 2011 in Prabal Gurung(34 of49)
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(Getty photo)
July 2011 in Narciso Rodriguez (35 of49)
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(Getty photo)
July 2011 in Sophie Theallet(36 of49)
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(Getty photo)
June 2011 (37 of49)
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(AFP/Getty photo)
June 2011 in Diane von Furstenberg(38 of49)
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(Getty photo)
June 2011 in Naeem Khan(39 of49)
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(AFP/Getty photo)
May 2011 in Tom Ford(40 of49)
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(Getty photo)
May 2011 in Marc Jacobs(41 of49)
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(Getty photo)
May 2011 in Ralph Lauren(42 of49)
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(AFP/Getty photo)
May 2011 in Peter Som(43 of49)
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(Getty photo)
March 2011 in Lanvin(44 of49)
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(Getty photo)
March 2011 in Michael Kors(45 of49)
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(Getty photo)
January 2011 in Rachel Roy(46 of49)
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(Getty photo)
January 2011 in Roksanda Ilincic(47 of49)
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(Getty photo)
January 2011 in Narciso Rodriguez(48 of49)
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(AFP photo)
January 2011 in Alexander McQueen(49 of49)
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(Getty photo)