Iran’s targeting of journalists

• 14 Nov 2024

The union is urging international condemnation of the systematic targeting of UK based Persian journalists by Iranian authorities.

For several years, Persian journalists including those working for Iran International, BBC Persian and other outlets in the UK have been targeted by the Iranian state and actors on their behalf, attempting to intimidate and silence their reporting. Journalists have had bank accounts frozen and family members threatened through proxy punishment in Iran, with officials insisting they persuade UK-based journalists to cease reporting.

State actors know no limits, using physical violence and tactics including stalking. Persian journalists targeted by Iran can no longer return home to see their families without placing their lives in direct danger and a survey conducted by the BBC internally among BBC News Persian staff found nearly 70 per cent said they had been unable to say goodbye to one or both of their parents before they passed away in Iran.

The NUJ has repeatedly voiced its concern at the serious threats facing UK- based Persian journalists and notes increased international condemnation is required.

Threats have already materialised into attacks, evident through the stabbing of presenter Pouria Zeraati who suffered multiple knife wounds in the March 2024 attack. Whilst it is unclear whether this was linked to a foiled plot revealed in 2022 to assassinate journalists, the crime was deeply shocking and instilled fear in other Persian journalists in the UK.

This year, the NUJ condemned Iran’s convictions of 44 journalists working on Persian language media outlets as abhorrent. The journalists were tried in absentia by the Tehran Revolutionary court on charges of “propaganda against the Islamic republic.

Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said:

“This is yet more evidence of the all-out war on Iranian journalists inside the country and abroad by the Iranian government. It is deeply shocking that a state can act in this abhorrent way, putting journalists and their families in real danger in a flagrant abuse of press freedom. Once again, we will be contacting the UK’s government and the UN and we ask that the wider international community speak out against this outrageous weaponising of journalists.

“Particularly worrying is the use by the regime of red notices through Interpol which can inhibit the movement of these journalists, as they travel abroad for work or to meet with family in third countries. We will continue to work with the BBC and IFJ to put pressure on the UK and other governments to confront Iran about its abuse, including death threats, of journalists.”

Read more on the revelations, only brought to light following a leaked document.

BBC Persian provides an invaluable service to audiences through its daily TV bulletins garnering 10m weekly viewers. Visitors to BBCpersian.com and the service's Instagram page with over 21m viewers rely on it for trusted, impartial journalism. As Iranian authorities remain firm in their hostility to foreign audiences, BBC Persian continues to broadcast on key issues including nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini, other human rights breaches and more recently the Israel-Gaza war.

The International Federation of Journalists continues to amplify threats to journalists in Iran, and in November both the NUJ and IFJ condemned an alleged sexual assault against Vida Rabbani by prison officers during a body search in Tehran’s Evin prison. The Association of Iranian Journalists remains closed despite repeated calls for its re-opening, following a decision by Tehran’s prosecutor 15 years ago. As journalists continue to operate under a repressive regime, trusted journalism has never been more important.

The UN Human Rights Council’s Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran has raised concern over Iranian authorities’ targeting of journalists, stating they have “harassed, threatened and intimidated journalists and other media employees working outside the country”. Read more on the report.

The NUJ continues to engage with employers on action to ensure the safety of journalists but is urging increased global condemnation, that exerts pressure on Iran to cease its deliberate and harmful targeting of journalists. Journalism is not a crime. 

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