Groups demand Iran end threats against journalists
New York, May 10, 2010—The Overseas Press Club of America and the Committee to Protect Journalists are calling on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to bring an end to a nearly year-long campaign of harassment and intimidation of critical Iranian journalists working domestically and abroad.
Iran remains world’s worst jailer of journalists
New York, May 6, 2010—At least 35 journalists were behind bars in Iran as of May 1 with another 18 detainees free on short-term furloughs, according to CPJ’s monthly census of imprisoned Iranian journalists. The figures, unchanged from CPJ’s April census, reflect a government still intent on silencing free expression.
CPJ denounces Iranian threats against Maziar Bahari
New York, April 19, 2010—The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned threats made by the Iranian government against Newsweek correspondent Maziar Bahari. Bahari, left, who was imprisoned in Iran for 118 days on fabricated antistate charges following last year’s disputed June presidential election, told CPJ that family members in Iran had received a threatening phone…
More than 3,500 petition Iran to free journalists, writers
New York, April 6, 2010—More than 3,500 concerned people from around the world—including prominent international journalists, writers, and press freedom leaders—are petitioning Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei, to immediately release dozens of journalists, writers, and bloggers currently imprisoned in the country. Among those who have signed the petition are Martin Amis, Jon Lee…
Furloughs lower Iran prison count, but dozens still jailed
New York, April 6, 2010—At least 35 journalists were imprisoned in Iran as of April 1 as authorities continued their nearly year-long crackdown on the news media, according to CPJ’s latest monthly census. Another 18 journalists were free on short-term furloughs granted for the Iranian New Year and were expected to report back to prison.
Jailed Iranian journalists’ health raises alarm
New York, April 1, 2010—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed that several Iranian journalists continue to be held in inhumane conditions at the notorious Evin Prison. At least one journalist is reported in deteriorating health, and two are under severe duress to “confess” to charges that could bring execution.
Iranian journalist’s health is deteriorating in jail
New York, March 30, 2010–The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about the health and well-being of Emadeddin Baghi, a prominent Iranian journalist, author, and human rights activist who has been detained without charges in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison since December 2009.
With 52 journalists in jail, Iran hits new, shameful record
New York, March 9, 2010—The number of journalists in jail rose in February as a relentless media crackdown continues in Iran. Authorities are now holding at least 52 journalists in prison, a third of all those in jail around the world, according to the latest monthly survey by the Committee to Protect Journalists.
CPJ welcomes release of journalists in Iran
The Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement today in response to Iranian and international press reports that at least four journalists have been released from Iranian prison on bail, including Mashallah Shamsolvaezin, journalist and spokesman for the Iranian Committee for the Defense of Freedom of the Press. Shamsolvaezin is also the recipient of…
‘Our Society Will Be a Free Society’ launches petition
New York, March 1, 2010—In response to the brutal crackdown against journalists, writers, and bloggers in Iran, a coalition of leading press freedom and free expression groups have launched a petition drive calling for the release of those imprisoned. More such professionals are now in prison in Iran than in any other country in the world—at least 60,…