On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, Iran is recognized as a perilous environment for media practitioners. The government’s crackdown has led to numerous arrests, severe sentences, and hostile tactics against journalists, both domestically and abroad. Prominent advocates emphasize the dire need for action against these violations of freedom of speech and press.
As the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists approaches on November 2, 2024, Iran emerges as a perilous landscape for reporters. Classified among the globe’s top ten jailers, Iranian authorities target those undertaking independent reporting on human rights violations and state brutality with threats, arrests, and violence. Hadi Ghaemi of the Center for Human Rights in Iran emphasizes that journalists are seen as threats by the regime due to their potential to reveal state misconduct. Journalists in Iran are not only oppressed at home but also face transnational repression when they seek refuge abroad. Exiled reporters endure surveillance, harassment, and even assassination attempts orchestrated by the Iranian government. Notably, Ghaemi urges international bodies to vocally denounce Iran’s alarming persecution of journalists and advocate for the freedom of those imprisoned due to their reporting. In the first half of 2024, Iranian authorities arrested nearly 34 journalists, with a staggering 281 legal cases against media workers reported, showcasing a draconian crackdown on free expression. Prominent human rights lawyer Saeid Dehghan criticizes the regime’s priority on security control over governance, which results in fabrications against journalists exposing corruption or state abuses. Such intimidation tactics aim to silence dissent across the board, undermining civil rights across the country. Since the 2022/2023 uprising following Mahsa Amini’s death, the persecution of journalists has intensified, with several receiving severe prison sentences for their reporting. For instance, delegates Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloofar Hamedi were sentenced to a combined 25 years for their coverage of Amini’s case. Moreover, journalists now grapple with SIM card disconnections aimed at cutting off their communication and access to services, further entrenching the state’s grip over expressions of dissent. Journalists in Iran’s diaspora commonly face persistent threats aimed at stifling their voices even outside Iran. Recent reports confirm that over 44 journalists abroad received secret sentences for their coverage critical of the state. The risks extend to physical violence, evidenced by a stabbing attempt on Iranian-British journalist Pouria Zeraati, suspected to be orchestrated by the Iranian government, and a plot against journalist Masih Alinejad in New York by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officials. Ghaemi reiterates the indispensable role of the press in the Iranian people’s ongoing quest for justice. This repression is rooted in the government’s understanding that free media and independent journalism threaten its narrative and reveal its transgressions against society. The list of suppressed journalists continues to grow, highlighting the urgent need for global solidarity against Iran’s war on journalism and human rights.
The oppressive climate for journalistic freedom in Iran ranks the country among the most dangerous globally for reporters. With a systematic approach to silencing dissent, the Iranian regime employs various tactics to intimidate, arrest, and repress those who dare to expose its abuses. This climate has only heightened in the aftermath of significant uprisings and continues to challenge the core principles of democracy and free expression.
Iran’s dismal record on press freedom underscores the need for international advocacy against the regime’s brutality toward journalists. With aggressive measures to suppress dissent and propagate fear, the Iranian government works earnestly to maintain its grip over narrative control. The resilience of journalists remains crucial in exposing state abuses and nurturing accountability, as their plight demands urgent attention from global communities.
Original Source: iranhumanrights.org
