IFJ Warns that Media Blackout in Tehran Threatens Democracy

international | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Thursday June 18, 2009 16:53 by Monir Zaarour - International Federation of Journalists monir.zaarour at ifj dot org IPC-Residence Palace, Bloc C, Rue de la Loi 155, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called for the international community to act to protect journalists reporting from Iran where the regime has turned its fire on local and foreign media accusing them of stirring up trouble in the wake of disputed elections.

"There are two issues we are concerned about," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary . "The physical safety of our colleagues and the threat to democracy if the government succeeds in using the media blackout and intimidation of journalists to control the information space."

The IFJ says that without free reporting the regime will have a free hand to act against protesters and to arrest people. Out of the media spotlight, their actions will not fuel anger at home and indignation abroad.

Reports say the Iranian authorities have ordered journalists not to leave their offices to report on widespread unrest caused by the controversial re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in last Sunday's presidential vote. The government is also attempting to block Internet sites and jam international broadcasts in its efforts to filter information about massive demonstrations organised by opposition members.

Western journalists in Tehran told the IFJ that the authorities are refusing to renew foreign reporters' visas on expiration as a way of forcing them out of the country. A number of them in this position are expected to leave the country between now and Sunday.

The IFJ is calling on the United Nations to speak out and notes that , while some Western counties have reacted to the violations of press freedom in Iran, there needs to be a unified international condemnation of the media crackdown which the Federation says violates fundamental rights and freedoms of journalists and is putting media staff at risk.

"We need the United Nations Secretary General to take the lead in holding Iran to its international obligations," added White. "The anger of Iranian voters cannot be blamed on the media. The test of a democracy is respect for the expression of opposing points of view and the actions of the regime against media will only make matters worse by fuelling suspicion and fear. "

The IFJ says that censorship will not calm the situation on the street but will, instead, reinforce the impression that the authorities have something to hide and are trying to evade independent scrutiny.

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The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide