The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Friday condemned threats by the Islamic Republic against the families of journalists working for Iran International, BBC Persian and Radio Farda, calling the tactic “emotional hostage-taking”
“Families of journalists working for outlets like BBC Persian, Iran International & Radio Farda are harassed, summoned, and threatened simply because their loved ones report from abroad,” CPJ posted on X, urging Iran to “end these transnational tactics of intimidation.”
Iran International filed an urgent appeal with United Nations experts on August 4, urging them to take action against Iran over serious risks to the lives and safety of their journalists worldwide and relatives inside Iran.
“Over the past weeks, the Iranian authorities have intimidated and threatened 45 journalists and 315 of their family members with death unless they stop working for Iran International by specific deadlines,” Iran International said in a statement.
All of those deadlines given by Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security have now passed, it added.
Since its formation in 2017, Iran International journalists have been targeted by the Iranian authorities for their reporting. This has included threats of assassination, assault and abduction against staff based in Britain, the United States and Europe.
Iran continues to be ranked among the world’s worst countries for press freedom.
According to Reporters Without Borders, “Iran has reinforced its position as one of the most repressive countries in terms of press freedom, with journalists and independent media constantly persecuted through arbitrary arrests and harsh sentences handed down after unfair trials before revolutionary courts.”
