New York, September 22, 2016 - Iranian authorities should immediately release two reformist journalists arrested in recent days and stop jailing the media for doing their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At the time of his arrest, pro-government media described Sadra Mohaqeq, the editor of the reformist newspaper Shargh Daily, as an "infiltrator." Security forces detained online journalist Yashar Soltani after he reported on alleged corruption in Tehran's municipal government, according to press reports.

By Siamak Ghaderi /CPJ Middle East and North Africa Advisory Group Member

The Iranian government will address the United Nation's General Assembly this month for the last time before President Hassan Rouhani seeks re-election next year. The international appearance would be a good chance for Rouhani's administration to discuss its record in office.

New York, August 10, 2016--A revolutionary court in Tehran sentenced the prominent Iranian journalist Issa Saharkhiz to three years in jail on August 8 for "insulting the Supreme Leader" and "propagating against the state," according to his lawyer, Mahmoud Alizadeh Tabatabaei, and news reports.

An Iranian court prosecutor suspended the Iranian reformist newspaper Ghanoon's license following a legal complaint from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IGRC), the newspaper announced on June 20, 2016.

By CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program and CPJ Technology Program

The mobile messaging app Telegram is popular in Iran, where citizens who have limited access to uncensored news and mainstream social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, use it to share and access information. But the app's estimated 20 million users in Iran, including those who use Telegram to report and communicate with sources, could be putting themselves at severe risk of data compromise, security experts warn.

New York, April 26, 2016 -- The Committee to Protect Journalists strongly condemns an Iranian court's sentencing of three reformist journalists. Tehran's Revolutionary Court sentenced the three to between five and 10 years in prison on charges of "acting against national security," according to press reports.

By Sherif Mansour/CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator

The Committee to Protect Journalists has joined 34 other organizations in calling on the U.N. Human Rights Council to vote in favor of renewing the mandate of the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The vote is scheduled to take place during the 31^st session of the council, which ends March 24.

By Courtney C. Radsch/CPJ Advocacy Director

Coverage of protests and riots. Revelations of official corruption and graft. Major natural disasters. Investigations into deplorable living conditions. These are some of the important issues journalists cover in their role as the Fourth Estate.

By CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Staff

The son of imprisoned Iranian journalist Issa Saharkhiz says his father's health has deteriorated and he has lost a worrying amount of weight since being sent to Evin prison last November. In an interview with CPJ, Mehdi Saharkhiz said his father, who is due in court this week, has been treated poorly.

Turkey releases jailed Iraqi journalist

Following months of advocacy by VICE News, CPJ, and other groups, Iraqi journalist Mohammed Ismael Rasool was released from Turkish prison on January 5. Rasool was arrested in August along with his VICE News colleagues, Jake Hanrahan and Philip Pendlebury, while they were reporting from southeastern Diyarbakir province. The three were charged with "aiding a terrorist organization."