President Barack Obama expressed that he is “deeply concerned" for the safety of US-Iranian journalist, Roxana Saberi, who officials claimed to be a US spy and was sentenced to eight years in Tehran’s prison.
"I have complete confidence that she was not engaging in any sort of espionage," said Obama to reporters in Trinidad where he attended a regional summit April 19.
"Please take the necessary measures to ensure that the process of examining the charges against the aforementioned individuals are being carried out carefully and fairness, justice and regulations are observed," Obama wrote in a letter to prosecutors.
"Please, personally observe the process to ensure that the defendants are allowed all legal rights and freedom in defending themselves and that their rights are not violated even by one iota," reported Iranian official government news agency Irna.
By Eka Obaigbena
Group: Iran
Showing posts with label Iran. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Iran. Show all posts
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Economic crisis in Iran makes Sun newspaper close
The economic crisis is not just affected the U.S. but all around the globe, and is especially putting a damper in the newsrooms in Iran. The crisis has brought this daily to extinction only 6 months after being released.
The closure of the sun, also known as Khorshid began with a mass amount of journalists residing, which dropped sales drastically. Khorshid was launched in October by one of Ahmadinejad's aides. It is based on a populist mix of human interest, entertainment and sports with minimal political news. The predicted sale amount was 200,000 and was planning on that number rising well into the future. Circulation dropped to 60,000 after plans to expand the daily from 24 to 36 full-color pages, but because of the sale drop, it went from 24 to 16 pages. The new theme of the upcoming year in Iran has been said to cut consumption, as the country tries to cope with this recession.
- Amanda Reinstein (IRAN)
Sunday, April 5, 2009
CPJ calls for Iranian president's intervention in Saberi case through Facebook
The Committee to Protect Journalists called for the charges against Roxana Saberi, a freelance journalist being detained in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison for unclear reasons, to be made public and for the Iranian government to ensure that she will receive due process and be released as quickly as possible.
CPJ delivered a petition on March 9 in support of Saberi to the Islamic Republic of Iran's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. With more than 10,000 signatures, the petition requested the direct intervention of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
CPJ launched its Facebook petition in support of Saberi on March 2, with the aim of collecting 1,000 signatures. The public outcry against her detention was so great that CPJ extended the deadline for signatures four additional days.
"We hope that this petition conveys to President Ahmadinejad and the Iranian leadership the depth of concern for Roxana Saberi," said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. "All of us are anxious to see her released as soon as possible. But at a minimum, she is entitled to basic due process. We call on President Ahmadinejad to ensure that her basic human rights are respected."
By Eka Obaigbena
Group: Iran
CPJ delivered a petition on March 9 in support of Saberi to the Islamic Republic of Iran's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. With more than 10,000 signatures, the petition requested the direct intervention of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
CPJ launched its Facebook petition in support of Saberi on March 2, with the aim of collecting 1,000 signatures. The public outcry against her detention was so great that CPJ extended the deadline for signatures four additional days.
"We hope that this petition conveys to President Ahmadinejad and the Iranian leadership the depth of concern for Roxana Saberi," said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. "All of us are anxious to see her released as soon as possible. But at a minimum, she is entitled to basic due process. We call on President Ahmadinejad to ensure that her basic human rights are respected."
By Eka Obaigbena
Group: Iran
Report says Iran may hold Saberi for prolonged period
Iranian-American freelance journalist, Roxana Saberi, who has been detained without charge since January, might remain in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison for a prolonged period.
In a telephone conversation with her father, Saberi said a prosecutor told her she would remain in detention for "months or even years," The New York Times reported today.
The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the news of her likely prolonged stay in the prison.
"We are very deeply concerned by the circumstances of Roxana Saberi's detention," said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Mohamed Abdel Dayem. "She continues to be held without charge, while officials have offered shifting reasons for her detention."
Iranian officials have issued conflicting explanations for her detention, which have ranged from being held for buying wine to being held for reporting without proper accreditation, or even no reason given at all.
"We are particularly concerned about Saberi's welfare, especially in light of where she is being held," CPJ's Abdel Dayem said.
Thousands have petitioned for the release of Saberi, who has worked for NPR, ABC, and the BBC.
By Eka Obaigbena
Group: Iran
In a telephone conversation with her father, Saberi said a prosecutor told her she would remain in detention for "months or even years," The New York Times reported today.
The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the news of her likely prolonged stay in the prison.
"We are very deeply concerned by the circumstances of Roxana Saberi's detention," said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Mohamed Abdel Dayem. "She continues to be held without charge, while officials have offered shifting reasons for her detention."
Iranian officials have issued conflicting explanations for her detention, which have ranged from being held for buying wine to being held for reporting without proper accreditation, or even no reason given at all.
"We are particularly concerned about Saberi's welfare, especially in light of where she is being held," CPJ's Abdel Dayem said.
Thousands have petitioned for the release of Saberi, who has worked for NPR, ABC, and the BBC.
By Eka Obaigbena
Group: Iran
Monday, March 30, 2009
Iran cracks down on lifestyle magazine
An article from March 2008 from the committee to protect journalists condemns the Iranian government who recently banned nine lifestyle and cinema magazines because of their foreign content of film stars and their promotion of "superstitions."
There were corrupt photos of foreign film stars and their fabulous lives. There was advertising found in these magazines that were for forbidden medicines and articles contrary to the morality and advertisements that were offensive to the ethnic minorities. The war on freedom of expression in Iran has reached absurd heights. CJP director Joel Simon said, "The iranian state is party to the international covenant in civil and political rights, which enshrines freedom of expression and the free flow of information. We call on the government to immediately rescind their ban on these lifestyle magazines."
The press supervisory board now warned 13 other publications about the consequences if they did not abide by the press law. According to CPJ, a women's magazine was banned with no form of evidence to support the reason for the ban after being published for more than 16 years in print.
-Amanda Reinstein
Iran- The internet quick;y becoming only refuge
Monday, March 16, 2009
IRAN-Internet quickly becoming only refuge
From an article from 2007 we see that press freedom continues to deteriorate. There has become a widening and growing issue between the publics attempt to access information and the government's restrictions upon that information. The decline of information keeps going down as journalists and reformists are being spotted. The public has turned to the internet for freedom of expression. Efforts have continually been made to arrest bloggers over the internet and filter out information. In 2007 the Iran government began to target more internet based media. The public is still finding ways to gain information about their government and around the world, but the government keeps narrowing down the field of information that is available. Internet usage as increased. Satellite dishes are forbidden, but many Iranians have them allowing for many citizens to receive international news coverage. At the end of 2006," YouTube, the New York Times website, and the English version of Wikipedia were all blacklisted at the end of the year. Public use of high-speed Internet connections was banned" More and more bloggers were targeted as well as journalists and many were sent to prison. This epidemic is threatening Iranians self liberty and freedom expression to the harshest extent.
http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=70&release=498
-Amanda Reinstein (IRAN)
Posted by Amanda Reinstein at 10:09 AM 0 comments
Labels: bloggers, internet, journalists, prison
IRAN-Internet quickly becoming only refuge
From an article from 2007 we see that press freedom continues to deteriorate. There has become a widening and growing issue between the publics attempt to access information and the government's restrictions upon that information. The decline of information keeps going down as journalists and reformists are being spotted. The public has turned to the internet for freedom of expression. Efforts have continually been made to arrest bloggers over the internet and filter out information. In 2007 the Iran government began to target more internet based media. The public is still finding ways to gain information about their government and around the world, but the government keeps narrowing down the field of information that is available. Internet usage as increased. Satellite dishes are forbidden, but many Iranians have them allowing for many citizens to receive international news coverage. At the end of 2006," YouTube, the New York Times website, and the English version of Wikipedia were all blacklisted at the end of the year. Public use of high-speed Internet connections was banned" More and more bloggers were targeted as well as journalists and many were sent to prison. This epidemic is threatening Iranians self liberty and freedom expression to the harshest extent.
http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=70&release=498
-Amanda Reinstein (IRAN)
Posted by Amanda Reinstein at 10:09 AM 0 comments
Labels: bloggers, internet, journalists, prison
Iran: blogging against the regime and 'we are iran'
Monday, February 23, 2009
Iran: Blogging against the Regime and 'We are Iran'
Iran has become known as having the largest prison for journalists in the middle east, noted in 2006. Over the past 6 years, 41 newspapers in Iran have been banned which cancels out any forum for individual opinions and voices.
Iran was the first country to imprison a blogger and in April 2003, the first blogger Sina Motallebi blogged on rooznegar.com and was sent to jail. Iranians have been more polarized against the government, creating more political and personal bloggers at a faster growing pace.
Alavi created a book called 'we are Iran' to help outsiders understand the "monumental social changes" in Iran. The book emphasizes citizens rights and the struggle for a civil society.
The "blogosphere" is the only way for free speech, but free means of communication are being deprived in Iran. Literacy rates in Iran stand much higher than many European countries.
'We are Iran' helps shed light on views in Iran and people will find the freedom of expression they are searching for in cyberspace if it is allowed. Lolivashe writes in Alavi's book; "...I write so as not to be lost in my despair. I write a weblog so that I can shout, cry and laugh, and do the things that they have taken away from me in Iran today."
People are acting out and writing to get their point across and opinions heard.
http://www.alternet.org/story/30702/?page=1
Posted by Amanda Reinstein at 10:24 AM 0 comments
Labels: blogosphere, Iran, webblog
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Iran: Blogging against the Regime and 'We are Iran'
Iran has become known as having the largest prison for journalists in the middle east, noted in 2006. Over the past 6 years, 41 newspapers in Iran have been banned which cancels out any forum for individual opinions and voices.
Iran was the first country to imprison a blogger and in April 2003, the first blogger Sina Motallebi blogged on rooznegar.com and was sent to jail. Iranians have been more polarized against the government, creating more political and personal bloggers at a faster growing pace.
Alavi created a book called 'we are Iran' to help outsiders understand the "monumental social changes" in Iran. The book emphasizes citizens rights and the struggle for a civil society.
The "blogosphere" is the only way for free speech, but free means of communication are being deprived in Iran. Literacy rates in Iran stand much higher than many European countries.
'We are Iran' helps shed light on views in Iran and people will find the freedom of expression they are searching for in cyberspace if it is allowed. Lolivashe writes in Alavi's book; "...I write so as not to be lost in my despair. I write a weblog so that I can shout, cry and laugh, and do the things that they have taken away from me in Iran today."
People are acting out and writing to get their point across and opinions heard.
http://www.alternet.org/story/30702/?page=1
Posted by Amanda Reinstein at 10:24 AM 0 comments
Labels: blogosphere, Iran, webblog
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Iran: building four satellites
Iran has launched a research and telecommunications satellite, called Omid, which means hope is persian, according to the latest news news.yahoo.com. This is the first domestically built satellite in Iran. The installation of these four satellites has worried western power because they fear Tehran is looking to build nuclear bombs and missiles.
The western's fear of Iran having alterior motives was rejected when Iran said that their nuclear work is only to generate electricity and the launch of the satellite was for peaceful purposes, not destructive ones. The U.S. feels that there is an alterior motive to this plan where missiles are being created undercover in Iran's space program, which could lead to the development of an intercontinental ballistic missile which would reach Europe and the United States. Telecommunications minister Mohammad soleimani was quoted, "following the launch of Omid, Iran will try to raise the weight and altitude of the satellites to be launched." They have not reported whent his will take place yet.
-Amanda Reinstein (IRAN)
The western's fear of Iran having alterior motives was rejected when Iran said that their nuclear work is only to generate electricity and the launch of the satellite was for peaceful purposes, not destructive ones. The U.S. feels that there is an alterior motive to this plan where missiles are being created undercover in Iran's space program, which could lead to the development of an intercontinental ballistic missile which would reach Europe and the United States. Telecommunications minister Mohammad soleimani was quoted, "following the launch of Omid, Iran will try to raise the weight and altitude of the satellites to be launched." They have not reported whent his will take place yet.
-Amanda Reinstein (IRAN)
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Blogger dies in Iran's Evin prison
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CJP)called March 19 for an immediate investigation into the March 18 death of an Iranian blogger imprisoned in Tehran's notorious Evin prison.
Omidreza Mir Sayafi, 28, who we previously blogged about as the blogger of the Rooznegar website (which can no longer be accessed) that was not able to appeal against his convictions by Iranian authorities for “insulting” Islamic Republic’s and “publicity against the government”, was said to have committed suicide by Tehran’s Evin prison officials, as said by Sayafi’s lawyer, Muhammad Ali Dadkhan.
Dadkhan said that before his death, Sayafi had expressed concerns about his health, "but the doctors there didn't take this seriously and said he was faking it."
Sayafi began his prison term in February.
"We are alarmed by the sudden death of blogger Omidreza Mir Sayafi and demand an immediate, transparent investigation into what happened," said Mohamed Abdel Dayem, CPJ's Middle East and North Africa program coordinator. "We send our condolences to Sayafi's family and friends."
Tehran’s Evin prison; which is infamous for the numerous political prisoners, journalists, and bloggers being held there; has CJP suspicious about Sayafi’s death and worried about other prisoners being detained there.
"Sayafi's death greatly increases our concern for Roxana Saberi's well-being," Dayem said.
Iranian-American freelance journalist Roxana Saberi is currently being held in Evin prison. She has been detained since late January. Iranian-Canadian blogger Hossein Derakhshan has also been detained since November 2008, but his whereabouts remain unknown.
By Eka Obaigbena
Group: Iran
Omidreza Mir Sayafi, 28, who we previously blogged about as the blogger of the Rooznegar website (which can no longer be accessed) that was not able to appeal against his convictions by Iranian authorities for “insulting” Islamic Republic’s and “publicity against the government”, was said to have committed suicide by Tehran’s Evin prison officials, as said by Sayafi’s lawyer, Muhammad Ali Dadkhan.
Dadkhan said that before his death, Sayafi had expressed concerns about his health, "but the doctors there didn't take this seriously and said he was faking it."
Sayafi began his prison term in February.
"We are alarmed by the sudden death of blogger Omidreza Mir Sayafi and demand an immediate, transparent investigation into what happened," said Mohamed Abdel Dayem, CPJ's Middle East and North Africa program coordinator. "We send our condolences to Sayafi's family and friends."
Tehran’s Evin prison; which is infamous for the numerous political prisoners, journalists, and bloggers being held there; has CJP suspicious about Sayafi’s death and worried about other prisoners being detained there.
"Sayafi's death greatly increases our concern for Roxana Saberi's well-being," Dayem said.
Iranian-American freelance journalist Roxana Saberi is currently being held in Evin prison. She has been detained since late January. Iranian-Canadian blogger Hossein Derakhshan has also been detained since November 2008, but his whereabouts remain unknown.
By Eka Obaigbena
Group: Iran
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Human rights lawyer banned from leaving Iran
Iranian authorities prevented Nasser Zarfashan, a human rights lawyer and staunch defender of free expression, from boarding a flight to Brussels Monday, to participate in a seminar on environmental policy at the European Parliament’s invitation.
The authorities, who confiscated Zarfashan’s passport at Tehran’s Imam Khomeiny airport, told him he was forbidden to leave the country as a result of a decision by a Tehran revolutionary court dating back to May 2008.
Zarfashan, a member of the executive committee of the Iranian Writers’ Association, said he was “astonished” that the revolutionary court had not summoned him previously.
“This decision is just a pretext,” Zarfashan said. “My comments about environmental policy could be embarrassing for the Iranian authorities, who have been directly responsible for catastrophes.”
Outraged by Iranian authorities actions, Reporters Without Borders had this to say:
“We condemn the existence of a ‘black list’ of people who are banned from leaving the country and whose passports are to be confiscated,” Reporters Without Borders said. “After hounding journalists and cyber-feminists, the government is now going after human rights activists.”
Zarfashan represented the families of a number of Iranian intellectuals and journalists who were murdered in 1998. He was arrested on 7 August 2002 and was sentenced to five years in prison by a military court for saying the intelligence services had murdered five intellectuals. He was released in March 2007.
By Eka Obaigbena
Group: Iran
The authorities, who confiscated Zarfashan’s passport at Tehran’s Imam Khomeiny airport, told him he was forbidden to leave the country as a result of a decision by a Tehran revolutionary court dating back to May 2008.
Zarfashan, a member of the executive committee of the Iranian Writers’ Association, said he was “astonished” that the revolutionary court had not summoned him previously.
“This decision is just a pretext,” Zarfashan said. “My comments about environmental policy could be embarrassing for the Iranian authorities, who have been directly responsible for catastrophes.”
Outraged by Iranian authorities actions, Reporters Without Borders had this to say:
“We condemn the existence of a ‘black list’ of people who are banned from leaving the country and whose passports are to be confiscated,” Reporters Without Borders said. “After hounding journalists and cyber-feminists, the government is now going after human rights activists.”
Zarfashan represented the families of a number of Iranian intellectuals and journalists who were murdered in 1998. He was arrested on 7 August 2002 and was sentenced to five years in prison by a military court for saying the intelligence services had murdered five intellectuals. He was released in March 2007.
By Eka Obaigbena
Group: Iran
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Iran: ATTACK OF THE SHOE!!!
On December 14, 2008, while attending a news conference in Baghdad, Muntazer al-Zaidi (Iraqi television journalist Muntadar) took off both of his shoes and launched them at US President George W. Bush. In Muslim eyes the throwing of a shoe is considered a deadly insult. Al-Zaidi was sentenced to three years in prison for his acts, but viewed as a hero throughout the Middle East.
This triggered a shoe throwing epidemic all over the world…including most recently Iran. The Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had a shoe hurled at him March 9, 2009 as he drove through the city of Urumiye in an open topped vehicle. The story never made media headlines; presumably because the individual who threw the shoe was never caught. The story did find its way out on the Iranian blogosphere. The blogs also reported a hat was thrown at the president also before the vehicle was able to pull off.
Many “pro-Ahmadinejad” bloggers reported that it was all just a “rumor spread by monarchists and anti-revolutionaries”, common terms for members of Iranian opposition.
It is funny this should happen in Iran, for after Zaidi threw his shoes at Bush in Baghdad, the Iranian officials held a public shoe throwing competition where people had the chance to throw apparel at posters and caricatures of George W. Bush.
Craig Walker(Iran)
This triggered a shoe throwing epidemic all over the world…including most recently Iran. The Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had a shoe hurled at him March 9, 2009 as he drove through the city of Urumiye in an open topped vehicle. The story never made media headlines; presumably because the individual who threw the shoe was never caught. The story did find its way out on the Iranian blogosphere. The blogs also reported a hat was thrown at the president also before the vehicle was able to pull off.
Many “pro-Ahmadinejad” bloggers reported that it was all just a “rumor spread by monarchists and anti-revolutionaries”, common terms for members of Iranian opposition.
It is funny this should happen in Iran, for after Zaidi threw his shoes at Bush in Baghdad, the Iranian officials held a public shoe throwing competition where people had the chance to throw apparel at posters and caricatures of George W. Bush.
Craig Walker(Iran)
Friday, March 13, 2009
Still No Freedom Of Speech On Internet
This post from popular technology-news blog Cnet.com is an interesting look at the state of free press on the Internet around the world. The article provides interesting insight on several of the countries we are studying in class, including Burma and Iran. It takes its information from the newest Reporters Without Borders report on "Internet Enemies".
Iran, unsurprisingly, has the worst record for Internet repression, thanks in part to the government's constant jailing of freelance journalists and bloggers, as well as constant attempts to shut down websites critical of the Ahmadinejad government. "Esmail Jafari, who edits the blog Rah Mardom, was sentenced to five months in prison last December for posting information about a demonstration in front of the equivalent of city hall in the southwestern Iranian city of Busheh," the article says.
Even Austrailia comes under fire for attempting to impose censorship laws on Austrailian Internet service providers.
-Ryan Simmons (Iran)
Iran, unsurprisingly, has the worst record for Internet repression, thanks in part to the government's constant jailing of freelance journalists and bloggers, as well as constant attempts to shut down websites critical of the Ahmadinejad government. "Esmail Jafari, who edits the blog Rah Mardom, was sentenced to five months in prison last December for posting information about a demonstration in front of the equivalent of city hall in the southwestern Iranian city of Busheh," the article says.
Even Austrailia comes under fire for attempting to impose censorship laws on Austrailian Internet service providers.
-Ryan Simmons (Iran)
Associated Press Demands Details on Detained Jounalist
On Wednesday, the Associated Press made a formal plea to the Iranian government to release details on how American freelance journalist Roxana Saberi, 31, had broken the law.
According to the AP, Saberi, a dual-citizen of both Iran and the United States, was detained last month by the Iranian government. She is currently being held in a prison north of Iran's capital city of Tehran. The government has refused to disclose details on her arrest, including reasoning as to why she was detained in the first place. Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hasan Qashqavi said Monday that Saberi was engaged in "illegal" activities because she continued working in Iran after the government revoked her press credentials in 2006. Saberi's father, Reza, has said his daughter told him in a Feb. 10 phone call that she was detained after buying a bottle of wine.
The AP joins top new officials at NPR, ABC, BBC, PBS, The Wall Street Journal and the Fox News Channel, all of whom have made the same demand. This just shows another reason why Iran has scored so poorly in press freedom surveys around the world.
-Ryan Simmons (Iran)
According to the AP, Saberi, a dual-citizen of both Iran and the United States, was detained last month by the Iranian government. She is currently being held in a prison north of Iran's capital city of Tehran. The government has refused to disclose details on her arrest, including reasoning as to why she was detained in the first place. Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hasan Qashqavi said Monday that Saberi was engaged in "illegal" activities because she continued working in Iran after the government revoked her press credentials in 2006. Saberi's father, Reza, has said his daughter told him in a Feb. 10 phone call that she was detained after buying a bottle of wine.
The AP joins top new officials at NPR, ABC, BBC, PBS, The Wall Street Journal and the Fox News Channel, all of whom have made the same demand. This just shows another reason why Iran has scored so poorly in press freedom surveys around the world.
-Ryan Simmons (Iran)
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Blogger arrested before being able to appeal against jail sentence
Reporters Without Borders called for the release of blogger Omidreza Mirsayafi (http://rooznegaar.blogfa.com), who was sentenced to two years in prison for “insulting” the Islamic Republic’s leaders and six months in prison for “publicity against the government.”
Mirsayafi, the blogger of Rooznegar (which can no longer be accessed), was not able to appeal against his conviction before his arrest because his lawyers did not receive a copy of the court’s sentence in time to file the appeal. This copy of the court’s sentence, which the court handed down on 15 December, has still not been received.
Mirsayafi told Reporters Without Borders that his blog posts were mostly about traditional Persian music and culture.
“I am a cultural blogger, not a political one. Of all the entries I posted online, only two or three were satirical. I did not intend to insult anyone,” Mirsayafi said.
Mirsayafi is meanwhile still facing separate charges of “insulting the prophet of Islam” and “attacking the sacredness of Iran” before a Tehran assizes court.
By Eka Obaigbena
Group: Iran
Mirsayafi, the blogger of Rooznegar (which can no longer be accessed), was not able to appeal against his conviction before his arrest because his lawyers did not receive a copy of the court’s sentence in time to file the appeal. This copy of the court’s sentence, which the court handed down on 15 December, has still not been received.
Mirsayafi told Reporters Without Borders that his blog posts were mostly about traditional Persian music and culture.
“I am a cultural blogger, not a political one. Of all the entries I posted online, only two or three were satirical. I did not intend to insult anyone,” Mirsayafi said.
Mirsayafi is meanwhile still facing separate charges of “insulting the prophet of Islam” and “attacking the sacredness of Iran” before a Tehran assizes court.
By Eka Obaigbena
Group: Iran
Call for release of the US-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi
The detention of Roxana Saberi, a journalist with American and Iranian dual citizenship being held in Tehran’s Evin prison, has left Reporters Without Borders very worried.
The reasons for Saberi’s detention are unclear, and Reporters Without Borders has urged the Iranian authorities to explain the basis of Saberi’s arrest.
“Saberi’s arrest is a violation of both Iranian law and international legal standards,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Her lawyers must be told the reasons for her detention and must be allowed to visit her. We urge the Iranian authorities to say what charges have been brought against her and to release her pending an investigation, as laid down in the law.”
After Saberi’s father made a call to National Public Radio (NPR) in the United States on February 10, news of her arrest was not released by NPR until March 1.
Iranian authorities have neglected to say what Saberi has been charged with, though foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi said she had been working “illegally” in Iran.
Saberi’s location in the prison is also unknown.
Born and brought up in the United States, Saberi has lived for the past six years in Iran, where she worked as a stringer for NPR from 2002 to 2006. She also worked for the BBC and Fox News.
By Eka Obaigbena
Group: Iran
The reasons for Saberi’s detention are unclear, and Reporters Without Borders has urged the Iranian authorities to explain the basis of Saberi’s arrest.
“Saberi’s arrest is a violation of both Iranian law and international legal standards,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Her lawyers must be told the reasons for her detention and must be allowed to visit her. We urge the Iranian authorities to say what charges have been brought against her and to release her pending an investigation, as laid down in the law.”
After Saberi’s father made a call to National Public Radio (NPR) in the United States on February 10, news of her arrest was not released by NPR until March 1.
Iranian authorities have neglected to say what Saberi has been charged with, though foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi said she had been working “illegally” in Iran.
Saberi’s location in the prison is also unknown.
Born and brought up in the United States, Saberi has lived for the past six years in Iran, where she worked as a stringer for NPR from 2002 to 2006. She also worked for the BBC and Fox News.
By Eka Obaigbena
Group: Iran
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Iran: Journalist prevented from leaving Iran
Freelance journalist, Abdolreza Tajik, was banned by the Iranian government from leaving the country Tuesday.
Tajik, who is also a free speech activist, was about to board a flight to Spain at Tehran’s Imam Khomeiny airport when his passport was seized by security agents who informed him that he had been summoned to appear before a revolutionary tribunal, according to reports by Reporters Without Borders.
Tajik had planned to travel to Seville to attend a two-day seminar on “Iran and 30 years or revolution” that had been organized by the Three Cultures Foundation.
Tajik, a member of Iran’s Human Rights Defenders Centre, was a journalist for three suspended Iranian publications: Bahar (suspended in 2001), Hambastegi (suspended in 2003) and Shargh (suspended in 2008).
By Eka Obaigbena
Country: Iran
Tajik, who is also a free speech activist, was about to board a flight to Spain at Tehran’s Imam Khomeiny airport when his passport was seized by security agents who informed him that he had been summoned to appear before a revolutionary tribunal, according to reports by Reporters Without Borders.
Tajik had planned to travel to Seville to attend a two-day seminar on “Iran and 30 years or revolution” that had been organized by the Three Cultures Foundation.
Tajik, a member of Iran’s Human Rights Defenders Centre, was a journalist for three suspended Iranian publications: Bahar (suspended in 2001), Hambastegi (suspended in 2003) and Shargh (suspended in 2008).
By Eka Obaigbena
Country: Iran
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Iran: Lawsuit against Iranian government by photographers son
Stephan Hachemi of Quebec, Canada lost his mother Zahra Kazemi, a photographer who had dual citizenship in both
Stephan has tried to have his mother’s body exhumed and brought back to
Craig Walker
Country: Iran
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Iran: Newspaper Suspended over Political Cartoon
On February 4, the Iranian ministry of culture and Islamic Guidance ruled to suspend the Iranian newspaper Hamat, over a controversial political cartoon. The cartoon was accused of "insulting high-placed regime officials" according to CNW Telbec.
The newspaper published the cartoon, depicting a spoof poster of a movie titled "Slaying of Ahmadinejad", referring to the imminent June election, and the possibility that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be defeated. The poster showed the photo of the film’s mock "director", former Iranian President, and the photos of it’s three "stars", former President Mohammad Khatami, former Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Tehran’s current mayor, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. Each of these men is a potential challenger to Ahmadinejad in the election.
Reporters Without Borders has condemned the suspension, stating that "There would be something comic about this suspension if it did not constitute a heavy-handed warning to all Iranian media that do not limit themselves to reproducing propaganda."
The newspaper published the cartoon, depicting a spoof poster of a movie titled "Slaying of Ahmadinejad", referring to the imminent June election, and the possibility that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be defeated. The poster showed the photo of the film’s mock "director", former Iranian President, and the photos of it’s three "stars", former President Mohammad Khatami, former Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Tehran’s current mayor, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. Each of these men is a potential challenger to Ahmadinejad in the election.
Reporters Without Borders has condemned the suspension, stating that "There would be something comic about this suspension if it did not constitute a heavy-handed warning to all Iranian media that do not limit themselves to reproducing propaganda."
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Iran’s 100-Second filmfest to become intl. event
TEHRAN -- Organizers of Tehran’s 100-Second Film Festival plan to convert it into an international event.
A number of foreign films have been slated to compete in the two-day event, which will commence on February 19, 2009.
The motto of this year’s festival is “Interrogative Cinema”, the secretariat of the festival Fazel Nazari mentioned during a press conference on Sunday.
He went on to say that the festival will have four sections namely Culture, Economy, Society and Resistance.
“The undeniable role of media in modern world will be explored in the Culture Section of the gala,” he added.
In the Economy section, art is considered from the aspect of economy since like culture, it has an important role in art. The Social section of the gala will focus on sacrifice and philanthropy as essential elements in human societies, he mentioned.
The Iran-Iraq war (1980-88) is a national honor which will be reviewed in the Resistance Section of the festival. The young generation should be acquainted with these values, he mentioned.
“We held several workshops in other countries including Azerbaijan, Turkey and Syria in order to introduce young filmmakers with this festival,” the Executive Secretary of the gala Behnam Bahadori said during the conference.
He went on to say that several countries including Turkey, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, Syria and Cyprus will take part in this edition of the festival.
The 100-Second Film Club is established on the sidelines of the festival, which will be attended by renowned artists. Also, the festival will hold workshops, he mentioned.
At the conference, the Deputy Director of the festival Hossein Rabbani Gharibi said that the jury of the festival is comprised of three groups: experts, juniors and experienced cineastes.
“The festival will also hold a Free Section in which only foreign filmmakers can participate,” he concluded.
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It's awesome that Iran is trying to expand their media base and opening up their 100-Second Film Club to become an international event which in my opinion is saying they are trying to be a less strict media regulating country. The only problem I can see with this is that Iran will start to sanction rules in order for other countries to participate. This might involve rules regulating freedom of speech but maybe Iran will surprise us all.
-Meka Brooks
A number of foreign films have been slated to compete in the two-day event, which will commence on February 19, 2009.
The motto of this year’s festival is “Interrogative Cinema”, the secretariat of the festival Fazel Nazari mentioned during a press conference on Sunday.
He went on to say that the festival will have four sections namely Culture, Economy, Society and Resistance.
“The undeniable role of media in modern world will be explored in the Culture Section of the gala,” he added.
In the Economy section, art is considered from the aspect of economy since like culture, it has an important role in art. The Social section of the gala will focus on sacrifice and philanthropy as essential elements in human societies, he mentioned.
The Iran-Iraq war (1980-88) is a national honor which will be reviewed in the Resistance Section of the festival. The young generation should be acquainted with these values, he mentioned.
“We held several workshops in other countries including Azerbaijan, Turkey and Syria in order to introduce young filmmakers with this festival,” the Executive Secretary of the gala Behnam Bahadori said during the conference.
He went on to say that several countries including Turkey, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, Syria and Cyprus will take part in this edition of the festival.
The 100-Second Film Club is established on the sidelines of the festival, which will be attended by renowned artists. Also, the festival will hold workshops, he mentioned.
At the conference, the Deputy Director of the festival Hossein Rabbani Gharibi said that the jury of the festival is comprised of three groups: experts, juniors and experienced cineastes.
“The festival will also hold a Free Section in which only foreign filmmakers can participate,” he concluded.
--------------------
It's awesome that Iran is trying to expand their media base and opening up their 100-Second Film Club to become an international event which in my opinion is saying they are trying to be a less strict media regulating country. The only problem I can see with this is that Iran will start to sanction rules in order for other countries to participate. This might involve rules regulating freedom of speech but maybe Iran will surprise us all.
-Meka Brooks
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
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