Nine Journalists Imprisoned in Iran Amid Escalating Crackdown on Press Freedom

January 01, 2025 – Iran – 

At least nine journalists remain behind bars in Iran, reflecting the country’s ongoing and systematic repression of independent media. According to Defending Free Flow of Information (DeFFI), these journalists are being held in various prisons across the country under vague and politically motivated charges such as “propaganda against the state” and “spreading false information.”

Among those detained are female journalists like Nasrin Hasani, held in Bojnurd prison, and Zhina Modares Gorji, imprisoned in Sanandaj. Many have been subjected to prolonged pre-trial detention, denied access to legal representation, or forced to sign pledges limiting their journalistic activity. Some are serving lengthy prison terms, including one unidentified woman reportedly sentenced to 10 years.

The crackdown is emblematic of the Iranian government’s broader assault on freedom of expression, particularly targeting journalists who report on human rights violations, government corruption, and protests. Women journalists have been disproportionately affected, often facing additional charges under morality-related laws. Many are arrested in connection with online reporting or social media commentary, highlighting the shrinking space for digital journalism.

This latest figure is consistent with previous reports: eight journalists were reported detained in late January 2024, and nine were imprisoned as of November 2024, indicating a persistent and deliberate strategy of media suppression. Iran consistently ranks among the world’s worst offenders for press freedom. In the 2024 Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index, the country was listed near the bottom globally, underscoring its hostile environment for journalists.

International press freedom organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, have condemned Iran’s actions and are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all imprisoned media workers. They argue that the use of national security and cybercrime laws to silence dissenting voices is a gross violation of international human rights norms.

As the government tightens control over public discourse, the imprisonment of these nine journalists serves as a stark reminder of the high price of truth-telling in Iran—and the urgent need for global advocacy to defend press freedom.

Reference –

Nine; the number of imprisoned journalists in Iran