Iran Intensifies Media Crackdown with Convictions of Six Press Leaders

May 06, 2025 – Iran – 

Iran has sentenced six senior media professionals in a sweeping campaign that reflects the government’s escalating pressure on independent journalism. The convictions come amid a broader suppression of dissent, with journalists, activists, and political voices facing mounting risks.

The six media executives, affiliated with the reformist newspaper Shargh and the Ham Mihan outlet, were found guilty of various charges, including spreading propaganda against the state and collusion to undermine national security. Their trials, held behind closed doors, were widely criticized for lacking transparency and due process. These prosecutions follow a familiar pattern in Iran, where journalists and editors are frequently targeted under vague security-related laws that stifle dissent.

This latest move is part of a growing trend in the country, where media professionals face arrest, harassment, and surveillance for reporting on sensitive topics. In recent years, coverage of issues like corruption, women’s rights protests, and economic grievances has drawn the ire of Iranian authorities. In particular, the government’s response to the death of Mahsa Amini and the resulting nationwide protests has triggered intensified efforts to control the press.

The broader context reveals that this clampdown is not new. A historical pattern of judicial aggression toward the media has been observed, with certain judges playing central roles in silencing journalists and civil society figures. Judges such as Abolqasem Salavati and Mohammad Moghiseh have long been linked to politically charged verdicts and are known for imposing harsh sentences on critics of the regime.

Human rights organizations and press freedom advocates have condemned the latest convictions, calling them part of a calculated strategy to eliminate independent reporting and intimidate the media into silence. Observers note that these actions align with the state’s goal of limiting public access to alternative narratives, especially during politically sensitive times.

As Iran continues to use its judiciary to manage internal dissent, the outlook for press freedom in the country remains bleak. The international community is being urged to respond with stronger advocacy for those unjustly imprisoned for their work in journalism.

Reference – 

6 media executives convicted in Iran amid crackdown on journalists

6 media executives convicted in Iran amid crackdown on journalists

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/31/six-judges-iran-crackdown-journalists-activists