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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.
For more information, contact + 32 2 235 22 07
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide
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Jump To Comment: 1Heres the latest on imprisoned journalists. Full text at link.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the world’s largest organisation of journalists, has called on Iranian leaders to end the intimidation of local and international media which has seen leaders of Iran’s journalists’ union forced into hiding for their safety.
In a letter to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian President re-elected in controversial elections which led to widespread protests over the past week, IFJ leaders have expressed particular concern over the fate of Karim Arghandepour, a well-known Iranian journalist and an elected member of the IFJ’s global Executive Committee. He has not been heard of since his arrest in the official crackdown that has followed public protest over the presidential election.
Also in hiding is Ali Masrooie, the Chair of the Association of Iranian journalists. “Like other journalists’ leaders he is fearful of being targeted by the authorities for his staunch defence of journalists and their right to work independently,” said IFJ President Jim Boumelha and General Secretary Aidan White in their letter to the Iranian President.
On Monday, the Iranian authorities entered the offices of Kalemeh Sabz, pro-Mir Hossein Mousavi newspaper and arrested all the media staff present. According to the report, the Iranian security agents are now operating inside independent newsrooms, controlling and imposing censorship on what goes to printing. Iranian journalists are threatened of being arrested if they speak to foreign media. It has been also confirmed that Iason Athanasiadis, a Greek journalist who was reporting for the Washington Times had been arrested over the weekend.