Iran / Middle East & North Africa

  
Tehran, Iran, is seen on April 3, 2020. Iranian authorities recently arrested two journalists for allegedly sharing a political cartoon. (AP/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Iran arrests 2 journalists for allegedly sharing cartoon mocking government’s COVID-19 response

Washington, D.C., April 27, 2020 — Iranian authorities should immediately drop their investigations into journalists Masoud Heydari and Hamid Haghjoo, and let them work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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People walk in Tehran, Iran, on April 13, 2020. Two Iranian universities recently filed suits against journalists for their coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. (AFP/Atta Kenare)

Iranian medical schools sue journalists over coronavirus coverage

Since February 2020, two medical schools in Iran have filed criminal suits against at least two journalists over their coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, according to reports by the International Federation of Journalists and the Human Rights Activists News Agency, two exile-run outlets that cover news in Iran.

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A volunteer sprays disinfectant in Tehran, Iran, on April 3, 2020. Authorities recently detained journalist Gholamreza NoriAlaa over a COVID-19 report. (West Asia News Agency)/Ali Khara via Reuters)

Iranian journalist detained over coronavirus coverage

On April 2, 2020, security agents in the western Iranian city of Kermanshah arrested and detained Kurdish Iranian journalist Gholamreza Noori Ala for several hours and then released him, according to a report posted to Telegram by the Tehran Journalists Association, a local trade group, and an employee of the association, who spoke to CPJ…

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A man reads newspapers in Tehran, Iran, on January 4, 2020. The country recently banned all newspaper printing and distribution, citing fears of spreading COVID-19. (AP/Vahid Salemi)

Iran bans printing of all newspapers, citing spread of coronavirus

Washington, D.C., March 31, 2020 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today expressed concern over Iranian authorities’ decision to suspend all newspaper printing and distribution in the country, where newsgathering and distribution is already tightly restricted.

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An Iranian woman wearing a protective face mask chooses traditional items ahead of Nowruz, the national New Year celebration, at the Tajrish Bazaar in the capital Tehran on March 19, 2020, despite the heavy death toll due the novel coronavirus in the country. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the government has covered up crucial information and threatened journalists. (AFP/Stringer)

Amid coronavirus pandemic, Iran covers up crucial information and threatens journalists

In recent months, the stability of the Iranian government has been threatened by widespread protests in late 2019 and the shooting down of a Ukrainian civilian aircraft in January 2020 amid heightened tensions with the U.S. The latest threat is the coronavirus pandemic, which has hit Iran harder than any country except China or Italy.…

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An internet cafe manager works on his computer in Tehran, Iran on July 25, 2019. Iranian journalists say monitored connections and technology companies' concerns about U.S. government sanctions are making it harder for them to bypass censorship. (AP/Vahid Salemi)

To cement internet control, Iran helps journalists get online

In early 2020, a journalist in Iran received a form from Iran’s National E-commerce Union, a nominally independent group that is close to the government, requesting their name, the news website they work for, and their IP address. “With all due respect,” it read, “provide the following information to prevent any potential problem during future…

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A woman wears a face mask as she casts her vote during parliamentary elections at a polling station in Tehran, Iran February 21, 2020. Iranian authorities detained journalist Mohammad Mosaed the next day for his social media posts. (Nazanin Tabatabaee/West Asia News Agency via Reuters)

Iranian authorities detain journalist Mohammad Mosaed again for social media posts

On February 22, 2020, intelligence agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) arrested and interrogated freelance economic reporter Mohammad Mosaed for several hours over recent social media posts critical of the government and suspended his social media accounts, according to a brief interview he had with the BBC Persian Service a few hours after…

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Campaign posters pictured in Tehran on February 20. Ahead of parliamentary elections, authorities increased pressure on Iran's journalists with arrests, detentions and legal action. (Supplied to Reuters via West Asia News Agency/Nazanin Tabatabaee)

Iran harasses, intimidates journalists ahead of parliamentary elections

Elections are always problematic for journalists in Iran, as the government attempts to threaten the press into silence. The parliamentary elections on February 21 are no exception.

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Members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are seen in Tehran on January 3, 2020. Intelligence agents recently raided the homes of four journalists. (AFP/Atta Kenare)

Iranian intelligence agents raid homes of 4 journalists, confiscate equipment

Washington, D.C., February 5, 2020 — Iranian authorities should cease raiding journalists’ homes and should return all material confiscated in recent raids, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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An Iranian police vehicle is seen in Tehran on April 10, 2018. Iranian authorities recently convicted three editors on defamation and false news charges. (AFP/Atta Kenare)

Iran finds 3 editors guilty of defamation and spreading false news

Washington, D.C., February 3, 2020 – Iranian authorities should immediately drop the false news and defamation charges against the editors of three news outlets, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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