Summons, Arrests, and Threats Force Iranian Journalists to Switch Careers

August 7 marks the anniversary of the killing of Mahmoud Saremi, a journalist from the Islamic Republic News Agency, by the Taliban in Afghanistan in 1998. In Iran, this day is recognized as Journalist's Day. A citizen reporter of IranWire interviewed several journalists and an editor to report on the current situation of journalists in Iran.

"Why don't you have children? Become a mother, focus on your life. A reporter's job provides neither bread nor water for you. Translate books, and write stories, but prioritize motherhood. Being a mother, you automatically take care of your children and avoid creating trouble for yourself."

The interrogator used to say this kindly, but after tearing up all her writings, he yelled, "You lie like a dog, you cooperate with hostile media, and if you don't answer correctly, you will be sentenced to at least 10 years."

She was released on bail a few months later and stopped working as a reporter. Her life unfolded as the interrogator had predicted: she had a child and turned to translating. Now, she deals with the censors of the Book Department of the Ministry of Guidance. Despite this, her love of journalism endures. Every time she reads a good social report, she dreams of writing one herself from start to finish.

In recent years, summonses, arrests, and threats have forced many journalists to abandon their favored profession. Some have moved to related fields like podcasting, documentary filmmaking, and translating books and articles. Others have taken on completely different jobs, such as becoming a sales manager of a chain store or working in turning and plating.

Some have started their own businesses. Their names once lent credibility to newspapers, but now they run ventures ranging from baking sweets and making candles to selling casual clothes and offering skin services.

One former journalist said, "You know, fear is the brother of death." After numerous cases were filed against journalists, particularly those from nearly independent newspapers, many felt afraid. They feared facing the same fate as Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi.

Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi were arrested after publishing reports on the death of Mahsa Amini and her funeral in the Shargh and Hammihan newspapers. They were released from prison more than a year later on bail.

The former journalist said, "There are a lot of threats and summonses. Many couldn't bear it anymore and moved to other work. Honestly, even those who stayed do not have the same courage as before. Ten people monitor journalists' social pages. If they write the slightest criticism, the government media will use it against them and create a security case."

She explained that media managers constantly monitor their journalists' social media pages, warning them to delete or modify posts. "However," she added, "journalists still work with love under all these pressures, trying to find ways to bypass censorship and write news and reports."

A veteran journalist from one of the independent media outlets says that conditions for journalists are becoming more complicated every day, as reflected in the daily news. "For example, recently, during sensitive times, the prosecutor's office quickly issued a notice stating that they will deal with those who disturb the psychological security of society. They also ask the media and social media activists to be careful not to disturb this psychological security. The message of this announcement is clear for us journalists: you don't have the right to comment, you just have to repeat what we say in your newspaper and on your social media pages."

Previously, when the press supervision board issued a warning to a media outlet, it was typically for an article published in the media. In recent years, however, they have also demanded explanations and issued warnings for content not published in the newspaper. For example, they might question why the government march on Quds Day wasn't sufficiently covered.

The editor of one of Tehran's newspapers explains that in recent years, the situation has deteriorated to the point where managers cannot properly defend their reporters. "Reporters are becoming more oppressed day by day. These security measures have severely affected the lives of journalists, to the extent that I understand why many professional journalists resign. Our work as editors has become difficult. Imagine a reporter being jailed for an article approved by the editor. The feeling of guilt and the struggle to explain the situation to the reporter's family has become overwhelming."

They add, "Day by day, the media is losing more and more professionals, and this is sad. Summonses, arrests, security cases, and court appearances are not limited to just one or two journalists. Many journalists have gone through these bitter experiences, and it is natural for them to seek other lines of work. Their families exert pressure, and they often find themselves unable to continue. Many have also emigrated and now work as journalists in other countries. In the past, only a handful of journalists went to prison; now, the experience of prison, solitary confinement, and other interrogations is common among journalists."

The annual report by Reporters Without Borders on world media freedom in 2024 shows that Iran remains at the bottom of the press freedom ranking, positioned at 176th. Only Syria, North Korea, Afghanistan, and Eritrea have a worse situation than Iran.