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January 23, 2025 – Iran –
Iranian authorities have escalated their campaign against independent journalism, increasingly resorting to home raids, court summonses, and threats targeting both domestic and exiled reporters. According to IranWire, the crackdown is part of a systematic effort to silence dissent and prevent critical reporting amid rising internal and external tensions.
In recent months, multiple journalists in Iran have reported pre-dawn police raids on their homes, followed by official summonses to appear before state security courts. These incidents are often accompanied by vague or politically motivated charges such as “national security violations” or “insulting the state.” Many of those targeted are freelance reporters or activists who post on social media or contribute to independent outlets.
Among the most notable cases is that of journalist Mehdi Mahmoudian, who was sentenced to eight months in prison after enduring repeated harassment and legal intimidation. Authorities used his reporting as grounds for prosecution, a tactic that has become increasingly common under Iran’s loosely defined laws.
The repression also extends beyond Iran’s borders. Exiled Iranian journalists have reported receiving threatening messages or phone calls from detained family members, pressuring them to stop their work. This form of transnational repression is designed to create psychological pressure, using loved ones as leverage to silence voices abroad.
Legal experts and human rights advocates argue that Iran is weaponizing its judiciary to enforce censorship. By exploiting vaguely worded laws related to espionage, propaganda, or religious defamation, the government can swiftly jail journalists without a fair trial or due process.
The surge in harassment comes amid heightened political instability and increased state surveillance. Independent journalism in Iran is now under severe threat, with more than 90 journalists reportedly harassed, detained, or prosecuted so far in 2025.
Rights groups are calling for international pressure on Tehran to cease its campaign against the press and to release all journalists detained solely for their reporting. Without meaningful accountability or reform, Iran risks further entrenching a system where truth-telling is treated as a crime, and journalism becomes an act of defiance.
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