On November 2, as the world observes the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, Iran remains one of the most dangerous countries for reporters. Ranked among the top ten jailers of journalists worldwide, the Iranian government frequently targets those who report on human rights violations, protests, or governmental abuses, subjecting them to intimidation, arbitrary detention, and violence.
Since the beginning of this year alone, at least 34 journalists and media activists have been arrested by Iranian authorities. Among them are prominent journalists Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamidi, who reported on the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died while in the custody of Iran’s morality police. Their arrest, along with others, underscores the regime’s determination to suppress independent reporting.
In fact, since September 16, 2022, when protests erupted following Mahsa Amini’s death in Tehran, more than 100 journalists have been interrogated, detained, or imprisoned. Sixteen journalists remain imprisoned for their reporting related to the protests, alongside 19 others who were jailed before the movement began. Experts suggest that the true number of detained journalists is likely higher, with many cases unreported due to security threats and the regime’s opaque tactics.
Moreover, new data reveal that since January 1, 2024, Iranian authorities have filed over 281 court cases against journalists, reporters, and media activists. The methods used to stifle journalism are increasingly invasive. Authorities have reportedly deactivated phone SIM cards and blocked bank accounts linked to journalists, making it nearly impossible for victims to present these cases in court. According to a human rights lawyer within Iran, these actions are “insidious,” designed to disrupt daily life through covert “security” tactics that leave no traceable evidence of wrongdoing by any official.
In addition to arbitrary arrests and bureaucratic harassment, journalists in Iran face physical violence, including torture, flogging, and threats to their families. Reports indicate that some journalists have been shot, had their homes raided, and seen their family members detained, particularly in provinces outside Tehran where government oversight is even more opaque.
Iran’s crackdown on journalists extends beyond its borders. Western intelligence agencies, including those from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, have reported threats against Iranian journalists and media activists living abroad. In February 2024, documents from the regime’s Judiciary website, leaked during a cyberattack, revealed that absentee court verdicts had been issued for several journalists in exile, further highlighting the regime’s reach in suppressing dissent.
This systematic repression has earned Iran a dismal ranking on the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Press Freedom Index, where it is currently ranked 176th out of 180 countries.
As global organizations call for accountability, the situation in Iran remains critical, with journalists caught between the dangers of speaking truth to power and the regime’s escalating attempts to silence them permanently.