International Federation of Journalists Condemns ‘Harassment of Media Personnel in Iran’ on the Eve of Elections
The International Federation of Journalists described and condemned the “summons and judicial warnings issued against Iranian journalists” on the eve of Iran’s presidential election as “pressure and harassment of media personnel in Iran.”
This international organization, which supports media freedom and journalists, announced on Wednesday, June 5th through a statement on its website that Anthony Bellanger, Secretary General of the International Federation of Journalists, said regarding recent actions by the Islamic Republic of Iran authorities: “This is yet another example of the Iranian government’s use of the legal system to suppress independent voices in the country.”
Anthony Bellanger emphasized: “Iranian journalists should be able to report on the election competition free from warnings and judicial pressures from authorities.”
Earlier, Gholamhossein Esmaili, spokesman for the Judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran, confirmed on Tuesday, June 4th that all media outlets, both state and non-state, had been “cautioned” regarding the publication of election news.
Some reports from Iran indicate that authorities have contacted a number of journalists in Iran and threatened them not to publish anything against Ebrahim Raisi, the head of the Judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran who is seeking to reach the position of president.
Source: Voice of America
