As media arrests mount, Iran solidifies a dishonor
New York, July 22, 2009–The Committee to Protect Journalists has confirmed the detentions of another four journalists in Iran. CPJ research shows the continuing arrests have solidified Iran’s dishonorable standing as the world’s leading jailer of journalists.
Photos by Majid Saeedi, jailed in Iran
Among the dozens of journalists detained in Iran is Majid Saeedi, a freelance photographer working for Getty Images. Jonathan Klein, the photo agency’s co-founder and CEO, describes Saeedi as a “dedicated photojournalist” who was simply trying to document events in Iran. Below are examples of Saeedi’s work, courtesy of Getty.
Reporter’s assassins remain at large one year on in Iraq
New York, July 20, 2009–Authorities in Kirkuk province must bring to justice those responsible for the 2008 murder of journalist Soran Mama Hama, at left, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on the eve of the anniversary of the reporter’s slaying. On the evening of July 21, 2008, unidentified gunmen murdered the 23-year-old reporter for the…
Walter Cronkite’s press freedom legacy
Walter Cronkite had such a profound impact in so many ways that one might overlook an important part of his legacy–his long efforts on behalf of international press freedom and his advocacy on behalf of local journalists around the world. Cronkite was a vital participant in the launch of the Committee to Protect Journalists 28…
Iran: End the press crackdown
New York, July, 17, 2009– During a speech and sermon delivered at Tehran University today, former president and cleric Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani called for reconciliation, the release of imprisoned protesters, and an end to restrictions on the press and free speech. The Committee to Protect Journalists had this statement:
Jailing the messengers in Iran
My friend and colleague Iason Athanasiadis spent three weeks in an Iranian prison last month. In the ongoing roundups of journalists since the June 12 election, Iason has seen his own friends and colleagues thrown in jail, including Majid Saeedi, a freelance photographer for Getty Images.
Al-Jazeera suspended in the West Bank
New York, July 15, 2009–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the Palestinian Authority’s decision today to suspend the operations of Al-Jazeera in the West Bank after the satellite channel aired a controversial interview on Tuesday. The suspension, according to a Palestinian Authority Ministry of Information statement, will remain in place until “the judiciary issues a…