New York, May 16, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists will release its report, “On the table: Why now is the time to sway Rouhani to meet his promises for press freedom in Iran,” on May 24, 2018. CPJ will mark the launch of the report with a panel discussion in Brussels.
The report finds that while President Hassan Rouhani sought re-election on the promise of a more open Iran, challenges persist for the press, as hardliners in the judiciary and other powerful institutions jail journalists, block websites, and maintain a climate of fear with harassment and surveillance. As President Trump’s administration takes a hostile stance toward Iran and Rouhani looks to European leaders to shore up international support, Iran’s lack of press freedom and other lapses in human rights could be a lynchpin.
A panel, hosted by MEP Marietje Schaake, will discuss the report’s findings. Speakers include Sherif Mansour, CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa program coordinator, and Mahsa Alimardani, Article 19 researcher for freedom of expression and digital rights in Iran.
WHAT: Report release and panel discussion for, “On the table: Why now is the time to sway Rouhani to meet his promises for press freedom in Iran.”
WHEN: May 24, 2018, 10 a.m. Central European Summer Time (0800 GMT)
WHERE: European Parliament, Altiero Spinelli building (ASP), Room A5G1
Brussels, Belgium
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CPJ is an independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide
Note to Editors:
Embargoed copies of the report are available upon request. To request a copy of the report or for information about the panel discussion, email [email protected]
[EDITOR’S NOTE: This media advisory has been updated to correct the launch time and details of the people scheduled to speak on the panel.]