With the Arrest of Several Local Journalists in Iran, Media Reports a New Wave of Pressure on Media Activists

News sources in Iran report the beginning of a new wave of pressure from security institutions on media activists, with the arrest of two local journalists in Urmia and Javanrud. The human rights organization Hengaw reported that on Sunday, April 8, 2024, Rasoul Goleban, a journalist and media activist in Urmia, was arrested by the Cyber Police. According to Hengaw, this arrest was made following a complaint from the public prosecutor of Urmia. This media activist is the owner and also the editor-in-chief of the news site 'Urmia 24'. Hengaw also reported the arrest of Iraj Mohammadzadeh, a journalist and activist from Javanrud in Kermanshah province, by security institutions. According to this human rights media, Mohammadzadeh is a PhD student in political science who was arrested by security forces after being summoned to the Javanrud court. These arrests come at a time when, according to news sources, no explanation has been provided regarding the reasons for the arrests. A review of the news indicates that pressure on media activists has intensified in recent months, and in one of the latest cases, two months after the arrest of Mehdi Afsharnik, an economic journalist, and Ali Tasnimi, a presenter at Radio Farday-e-Eqtesad, these journalists remain in detention without clarity regarding their situation. The Islamic Republic has a long history of mass arrests and crackdowns on media activists. The nationwide protests of 2022, which occurred after the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the 'Guidance Patrol', were one of the periods during which the Islamic Republic intensified its crackdown on media activists. In this context, Reporters Without Borders reported that during the nationwide protests of 2022, at least 79 journalists, including 31 female journalists, were arrested. As the peak of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests passes and the likelihood of a new wave of protests arises due to the critical economic situation in Iran and social pressures, some believe that security institutions are trying to manage the situation in various ways. Mehdi Afsharnik and Ali Tasnimi remain in detention without clarity after two months. The UN fact-finding committee has deemed discrimination against women in Iran a violation of human rights and a crime against humanity. The continued detention and uncertainty of two employees of 'Farday-e-Eqtesad' and a member of the Kian financial group raises concerns for the family of Mehdi Afsharnik. The report from 'Freedom House' states: Journalism in exile: A light in the darkness of repression that does not go out.