Announcement of “Committee for Tracking Sexual Harassment of Female Journalists”

The board of directors of the Tehran Province Journalists’ Association announced the formal establishment of a committee for “tracking sexual harassment and supporting affected journalists.” The committee’s agenda includes legal, psychological, and media support.

Several months after cases of harassment and verbal and physical misconduct against women in Iran’s domestic media workplaces became public, and following accounts and documentation particularly raised in virtual spaces, the Tehran Province Journalists’ Association announced the formation of a committee to track instances of such conduct and support victims.

According to the association’s Telegram channel, the aforementioned committee, with the presence of two members, several lawyers, a psychiatrist, and a veteran journalist, has been active for approximately two months. Its primary objective is “education and limitation of the issue” and, if necessary, guidance for colleagues who seek assistance and provision of various consultations and, to the extent possible, examination of specific cases: “The goal of this committee is not fact-finding, as this matter goes beyond the scope of professional capabilities and authority.”

The association noted that the formation of this committee, to examine the dimensions of harassment and misconduct and support victims, was delayed due to the spread of coronavirus.

The association’s public relations announcement emphasizes that in specific cases, “the principle of confidentiality and protection of personal rights” will be observed, and simultaneously reminds that the issue of harassment of female journalists is not unique to Iran.

The association calls on colleagues who have been subjected to sexual harassment and misconduct to participate, with the assurance that their names will remain confidential: “Throughout all stages, the principle of confidentiality will be observed. Unless the interested parties request the publication of information related to themselves, in which case the organization and publication of information will be done at the discretion of the committee while respecting legal principles and ethical standards.”

Twenty-three Iranian female journalists, in recent weeks, in a statement confirming and acknowledging cases of misconduct and harassment, including accounts related to the former head of the political service department of Shargh newspaper, called on victims to break their silence and not retreat. They stated that they also expect media officials not to turn a blind eye to such conduct and to hold perpetrators and harassers accountable.

Mahnaz Hoseinzadeh, Solmaz Ikdeer, Mohtab Gholi Zadeh, Ghanch Ghoami, and Molood Hajizadeh are among the signatories of this statement.

Source: DW