On World Press Freedom Day, the United States paid tribute to Iranian journalists who are facing severe pressure from the government. Iran has been labeled as the second worst country in the world for imprisoning writers. In a statement on their Farsi account on X social network, Washington lauded the bravery of journalists like Niloufar Hamedi, Elahe Mohammadi, and Nazila Maroufian. These journalists, despite facing adversity, play a vital role in raising awareness among Iranians and are greatly admired.
Despite their release from prison, these journalists still face challenges. A new case has been opened against them for publishing pictures without the mandatory hijab. Iran’s crackdown on the Islamic dress code has been escalating, drawing criticism from the UN which has termed it ‘gender apartheid’ against Iranian women and girls. Reporters Without Borders criticized Iran for its harsh treatment of the press, noting that at least 23 journalists are currently imprisoned in the country, ranking Iran 176th out of 180 countries, alongside notorious nations like North Korea, Afghanistan, Syria and Eritrea.
According to a recent report by PEN America’s Freedom to Write Index released in 2023, Iran remains the second highest country for imprisoning writers after China. This ranking reflects ongoing challenges faced by journalists in Iran who continue to be targeted by authorities for their reporting and activism. Despite this pressure and persecution, these brave individuals continue to work tirelessly to ensure that their fellow citizens have access to accurate information about their government and society.
