The IWMF Urges Immediate Release of Jailed Iranian Journalists

The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) is deeply disturbed by the recent surge in arrests of women journalists in Iran, one of the world’s most repressive countries for journalists. The unjust persecution of these women violates press freedom and spotlights the increasing and unique dangers faced by female journalists worldwide.

As of August 27, there are now 10 women being held in detention in Iran in relation to their reporting. Among them is Marzieh Amiri, who was arrested while reporting for daily newspaper Shargh in May. After being denied bail, it was announced on August 24 that Amiri was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison and 148 lashes. Amiri appeared on the One Free Press Coalition’s August list of the 10 most urgent press freedom cases, curated by the IWMF and the Committee to Protect Journalists, and compiled by Forbes.

Additional women being detained in Iran – a country that’s listed in position 170 at the very bottom of the 2019 World Press Freedom Index – include reporters from a wide span of mediums and outlets, whose arrests occurred as long ago as May 2015 to as recently as August 2019.

When women journalists are treated as criminals, vital stories are left untold. A free press relies on journalists’ ability to report without fear of retaliation; the IWMF calls on Iranian authorities to immediately release these women and restore their freedom.