Midpoint Report on Increased Suppression of Journalists in Iran: Pressure on Provinces Has Intensified

The Midpoint School of Journalism, in its latest annual report on the increasing suppression of journalists, announced that the coverage of hijab news, voter participation in elections, and criticism of the government are the main reasons for the pressure on journalists in 1402 (2023). This report, published simultaneously with May 3rd 'World Press Freedom Day', classified the highest levels of press censorship in the areas of 'women and hijab, voter participation in parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections, and the publication of political-social survey results'. Criticism of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, government agencies, exposing corruption among officials, and reporting on poverty and suicide were also mentioned as other focal points of censorship against journalists by the security institutions of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the past year. Midpoint, which operates in the field of journalism education, identified 226 cases of suppression of journalists and media, including 102 cases of arrest or prosecution, 42 cases of summons or complaints, and 144 cases through judicial action. The Midpoint School of Journalism describes itself as a platform aimed at producing and expanding educational resources for journalism and empowering journalists to combat waves of fake news and information in the Middle East and Persian-speaking countries. According to this organization's findings, 'with the expansion of websites and news channels in the provinces', pressure on journalists outside the capital has increased; and in most cases, violent physical confrontations, including torture, flogging sentences, shootings, and attacks on journalists' homes, as well as the detention of family members, have occurred in provinces other than Tehran. Masoumeh Naseri, director of the Midpoint Institute, stated regarding press censorship in the provinces that 'the circle of officials who fall into the red circle, and about whom journalists are not allowed to report or publish negative news, has expanded and reached lower-level officials.' She emphasized the changing media landscape in recent years and the further decline of unions supporting journalists' rights in Iran, stating: 'Supportive institutions for journalists either do not exist or have minimal functionality.' Masoumeh Naseri stressed that 'the pattern of censorship and pressure to limit freedom of expression in the Islamic Republic has changed in recent years', explaining that the reason why 'we hear much less about the suspension of media outlets than before is that security institutions have prevented the free flow of information with newer methods.' The director of Midpoint, citing the school's findings, added that news is widely censored or, as they say, 'managed' through direct contact from security institutions with responsible managers or editors before publication. She emphasized that this institution is confident that the cases of media suppression are much more than the findings obtained, stating, 'We know that many responsible managers and editors of media outlets remain silent about the pressures.' According to the annual report of Midpoint on the suppression of journalists in Iran over the past year, at least 18 journalists have been dismissed from their jobs or have been forced to leave. Eight newspapers and news websites have also faced pressure from the cessation of government advertising or have been temporarily or permanently shut down. Additionally, security-related cases of suppression of journalists, shootings at media activists, torture and sentencing to flogging, attacks on journalists' homes, and the detention of their close relatives have been reported. Direct threats and phone calls have forced many journalists or media outlets into censorship; furthermore, preventing journalists and photographers from entering certain locations or issuing 'confidential' directives are other methods used by the government to obstruct the process of information dissemination. The Midpoint School of Journalism states that it is aware that the cases of suppression are much more than the 226 individual and collective cases recorded, as many cases remain hidden due to security threats. Hediyeh Kimiaei discusses the situation of media suppression and journalists over the past year in Iran, stating that the issuance of regulations for the activities of foreign media; activities are permitted with the approval of the IRGC and the Ministry of Intelligence. With the arrest of several local journalists in Iran, media outlets report the beginning of a new wave of pressure on media activists. The Iranian Writers' Association, on the eve of International Workers' Day, called for the release of all imprisoned workers and labor activists. Amnesty International's report: the situation of freedom of expression, suppression of women, torture, and executions by the Islamic Republic has worsened in 2023. The U.S. government increases access to the internet in countries like Iran.