Source: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has marked this year's World Press Freedom Day with a special focus on the situation of journalists in Iran where dozens of journalists remain behind bars, newspapers closed and where the IFJ affiliate, the Association of Iranian Journalists has had its office closed down.
"The onslaught on media in Iran has been
unrelenting since the disputed elections
in June, last year," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. "The government has
sought to suppress independent media and to shut down all contacts with outside
following unprecedented show of public defiance to the regime."
The IFJ says there are still up to 35 journalists in prison since the mass trial
of media last August and many more newspapers have been shut down. The office of
the Association of Iranian Journalists (AoIJ), an IFJ affiliate, remains sealed
since 5 August 2009 with no immediate prospect of being allowed to function
again.
The IFJ Executive Committee decided in their meeting in Marrakech, Morocco on
20-21 March to focus World Press Freedom Day activities on raising awareness of
the situation of media in Iran and support for the IFJ campaign to free Iranian
journalists which has been running since September 2009. In particular, IFJ
affiliates, their members and journalists around the world are requested to send
the IFJ electronic post card to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, calling for the
release of all detained journalists and the reopening of the AoIJ office in
Tehran.
"We need to show solidarity with journalists in Iran all the time," said Aidan
White, IFJ General Secretary. "But World Press Freedom Day provides the
opportunity to focus the minds and send a message to the Iranian government
about our determination to stand by our colleagues and fight for their freedom."
The IFJ has also called for global action to promote the safety of journalists
following confirmed deaths of at least 27 journalists since the start of the
year in countries such as Honduras, Thailand, Nigeria and Pakistan.
"This death toll after just four months ought to shock the world into action,"
added White. "We are well past the time of words alone in the face of utter
indifference on the part of men of violence."
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 125 countries worldwide
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