Continued Security Pressures on Journalists; Editor of 'Nadaastan' Magazine: I Prefer Closure to Suicide

The International Federation of Journalists reported on Saturday, April 1, citing the editor of the cultural-artistic magazine 'Nadaastan', about the 'voluntary' closure of this publication due to 'security pressures' and 'fear, intimidation, and harassment' against him. Arash Sadeghi Beigi, the editor and owner of 'Nadaastan', stated that two legal cases have been filed against him in the Islamic Revolutionary Court. He added: 'Now after several court sessions, I am left with two fabricated security cases in the Revolutionary Court regarding why someone is not wearing a hijab in the editorial office and why a certain photo was published with hair showing.' The International Federation of Journalists had previously reported that since the onset of nationwide protests in 2022 until the end of 2023, at least 7 publications and news outlets have been suspended, closed, or had their licenses revoked due to 'pressures from security agencies or judicial orders'. Additionally, at least 6 media activists were dismissed from their jobs by the end of 2023. Ali Moslehi, a journalist residing in Kashan, is one of the media activists who was recently sentenced to prison. His lawyer stated that he was sentenced to 15 months and one day in prison for 'insulting the leadership' and to 7 months and one day for 'propaganda against the regime' in the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Kashan, with this ruling suspended for 5 years. This journalist was also sentenced in the second criminal court of Kashan to 3 years and one month for 'insulting sacred values' and to 1 year and 3 months for 'spreading falsehoods'. The International Federation of Journalists reported on April 4 that at least 27 journalists and media activists were arrested, and 21 journalists were sentenced to a total of 60 years in prison in 2023 in Iran. Dominique Pradalie, the President of the International Federation of Journalists, has condemned media repression in Iran in statements previously released. He condemned the 'baseless accusations' of the Islamic Republic against journalists, stating: 'The imprisonment of journalists is a warning sign at the international level.' Reporters Without Borders has classified the Islamic Republic as 'one of the most repressive governments in the world' regarding media freedom and ranked Iran 177th out of 180 countries in terms of freedom of expression. According to this ranking, only three countries, Vietnam, China, and North Korea, are ranked lower than Iran. The British police stated they are investigating the connection between the physical attack on Pouria Zareati and his profession. The report from the International Federation of Journalists for 2023 indicates that at least 27 journalists were arrested in Iran. Russia has banned a Voice of America reporter from entry; Voice of America stated: 'Our responsibility is to publish accurate news.' Another journalist was penalized for reporting on Armita Garavand; Zeinab Rahimi was fined. The Tehran Journalists' Guild stated they will provide 'lawyers' for journalists facing judicial action. Maryam Shekarani was fined; a source informed Voice of America that a criminal record is being created to imprison the journalist. The organization 'Defending the Free Flow of Information' reported a 40% increase in the prosecution of Iranian journalists over the past month.