31 journalists arrested in Iran since elections
Another 6 journalists arrested this week in Iran brings the total to at least 31 detained since the disputed election. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, “…at least six other journalists were in detention prior to the disputed elections. Of the journalists currently behind bars, 16 work primarily for print publications, four for online publications, two for television stations, eight are primarily bloggers, and an additional seven are freelancers or with unknown affiliation.” A free press is critical to a vibrant democracy. Information, dissent, vigorous debate, and open discussion are the tools of intellectual and societal exploration. Iran locking up those who would dare to debate in public forum is yet another indication of a theocratic and authoritarian regime. The partial list of the detainees is a role call of shame for Tehran:
Below is a list of journalists whose detention has been independently verified by CPJ since its last published count on July 7.
Tohid Begi, photographer
DETAINED: July 9, 2009
The photographer for MashrotaNews, affiliated with the defeated presidential candidate Mahdi Karroubi, was arrested by security agents near Inqilab Square in Tehran on July 9, according to news reports.
Kave Muzzafari, blogger
DETAINED: July 9, 2009
Muzzafari?, blogger and women’s rights activist, was arrested near his home in Tehran. He was a supporter of the campaign to collect “One Million Signatures” urging the reform of Iranian laws that discriminate against women. His mother-in-law, who was with him at the time of his arrest, told the Tehran-based Sign for Change Web site that plainclothes police officers arrested Muzaffari while they were on thierway home from a hospital.
Muhammad-Reza Yazdanpana, freelance, blogger
DETAINED: July 7, 2009
Yazdanpana, freelance journalist and blogger for Yazdanpana, was arrested on the way home on July 7, according to local news reports. He has worked for several reformists affiliated newspapers such as Sharq, Karguzaran, and Yas Nu.
Majid Saeedi, freelance photographer for Getty Images
DETAINED: July 10, 2009
Security agents arrested Saeedi, a well-known photographer with several reformist newspapers, at his home and took him to an unknown location, according to Getty Images.
Hangama Shahidi, blogger
DETAINED: June 30, 2009
Shahidi?, a blogger and contributor to reformist newspapers, was arrested on June 30, according to local news reports. The details of her arrest are unknown.?
Sumaia Nusrati, Tehran Emrouz
DETAINED: June 21, 2009
Nusrati, a journalist with Tehran Emrouz and HayatNo, has been detained since June 21, according to local news reports. The details of her arrest remain unknown.
A free press can be a double-edged sword even for an advanced democracy. Sometimes one has to support those who are vitriolic in dissent, in accepting the good and the bad of a public debate. To maintain freedom of expression the US, as an example, has to preserve the rights of extremists too, such as a Michelle Malkin. Her bitter and angry voice in the domestic debate is nothing more than a minor irritant, however, how her apparent extremism and racism plays to international audiences is more of an embarrassment and a concern. The US does though suffer through such intemperance to preserve wider freedom of expression. Of course, it would be much better for America and its security, if voices representing positions of paranoia and xenophobia were more deeply considered and less offensive, but a free press dictates the need to accept extreme fringe commentators together with saner voices of reason. Iran could do worse than to mark the US lessons in preserving free-ranging debate, no matter how unreasonable, to allow for such a communal release valve in a thriving, vibrant and diverse political tapestry. A requirement to suffer cultural cringe and security fears, as Malkin- type incitement often produces, are but a small price to pay for a broader freedom of ideas.
Iran is not the only villain in terms of press freedoms this week. The Palestine Authority in the West Bank is also guilty as charged in attempting to silence the press voices that dare to criticize. In this measure alone, Israel has a much freer press as indicated by the breaking reports of the IDF using Palestinians as human shields in the recent Gaza travesty. The Palestinian Authority should remember that empathy with their cause in the broader international community is, to a large degree, predicated on the perception of the Palestinian pursuit of a free, open and democratic society. Abbas should reflect that the world will view actions to deny press freedom just as seriously as it does in Iran, and that his governance will be judged equally as harshly. Press freedom is non-negotiable regardless of where such restrictions occur, and that is a lesson that is sometimes painful for a regime to stomach, but far more costly in the longer term to deny.
The Palestinian Authority has closed down the West Bank offices of Arabic satellite news channel al-Jazeera. The self-rule body said al-Jazeera promoted a negative view of its work and that the coverage is biased. It comes a day after a guest on the station accused Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas of collaborating with Israel to have Yasser Arafat killed. The channel – based in Doha – said it was “stunned” by the Palestinian Authority’s decision.
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[...] make up their minds. This is who you need to call: Capitol switchboard is 202-224-3121: Reps. 31 journalists arrested in Iran since elections – mydailyclarity.com 07/16/2009 Another 6 journalists arrested this week in Iran brings the total [...]