Four journalists from the political group of Etemad newspaper were fired and resigned; Milad Alavi: Other firings will occur in the coming days

According to news published on social media and domestic Iranian media, three of the five journalists from the political group "Etemad Newspaper" were fired in recent days, and another one resigned in protest at the manner in which his colleagues were fired.

Behrouz Behzadi, the managing director and editor of Etemad newspaper, fired Samar Fatemi, a reporter for the judiciary, Milad Alavi, a reporter for the parliament, and Mehdi Roozbahani, a reporter for the political parties, on Sunday, July 10. Marjan Zahrani, a reporter for the government, also resigned from continuing to work with the newspaper in protest of unethical and unprofessional behavior.

Milad Alavi, one of the dismissed journalists, published a statement on his Twitter page with the subject "Narrative of dismissal!" and wrote: "On Wednesday, July 6, political journalists of Etemad newspaper inquired with the newspaper's managing director and editor about the status of continued cooperation or the possibility of any reductions in the staff, and he acknowledged in this meeting that there were no plans to reduce or eliminate staff, and that perhaps some changes would be made to the pages."

He added that on Saturday, July 9, another meeting was held with the presence of political service reporters at the office of Elias Hazrati, the owner of the Etemad newspaper, and in this meeting it was announced that 3 out of 5 journalists would be laid off and that the journalists themselves would have to decide on the selection of these dismissed journalists.

The dismissal and resignation of these journalists comes at a time when Elias Hazrati, in response to the dismissal of these journalists, said in a letter to the board of directors of the National Journalists' Guild: "The reality is that we are all sitting on the same ship, which unfortunately no longer has much strength to move."

Stating that continued layoffs are necessary to ensure that the minimum possible number of journalists remains, he says in the letter that he announced in meetings that the journalists would choose the people to be laid off, and when they did not do so, he himself appointed the dismissed journalists.

After firing these journalists, Elias Hazrati says in this letter: "I have offered them a royalty."

The statement that Mr. Alavi published on his Twitter page continued: "We believe that this dismissal, which was carried out without any reason or deadline, all at once, and without prior notice, is not only against professional and ethical principles, but also, in the current economic conditions, will lead to many crises and economic and psychological effects for journalists. What is more bitter is that, based on the available evidence and information, other dismissals will also occur in the coming days at Etemad newspaper."

On the other hand, the Journalists' Guild Association, referring to the official letter from Elias Hazrati, the owner of the franchise, and Behrouz Behzadi, the editor-in-chief of Etemad newspaper, wrote to the association on its Telegram channel: "At the same time as the written request of the three dismissed journalists of Etemad newspaper to the association, it has put their situation on the agenda."

However, Milad Alavi wrote on Twitter: "More painful than the dismissal and firing of journalists is the lying of the Journalists' Guild! No understanding has been reached between us, the dismissed and resigned journalists, and the Etemad newspaper. The Journalists' Guild either does not know the meaning of the word "understanding" or knows and knowingly prefers to consider other interests."

Source: Voice of America