Iran: Iran International TV Relocated Due To Serious Death Threats — CFWIJ Holds Iranian Regime Responsible

Location: Iran, Tehran
Date: February 20, 2023

Iran International TV outlet has been forced to relocate offices from London to Washington DC due to ongoing, serious death threats on its staff members. The pressure comes directly from Iran as an attempt to silence independent media's criticism of the country's regime. The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands the Iranian government immediately cease efforts to pressure and silence free media. 

On February 18, Iran International TV announced it was shutting down its London offices and relocating operations to Washington DC due to continued assassination threats against its journalists. British counter-terrorism police reported at least 15 attempts to attack Iran International TV. The level of the threats became so severe that police authorities could no longer guarantee the safety of the journalists.

On February 13, London’s Metropolitan Police advised the channel to relocate, following the arrest of an Austrian national later charged with collecting information likely to be used in an act of terrorism. Tehran is behind the threats. Leaders of the Iranian regime want to silence, torture and kill people and at the same time they don't want the news to get out to the world because it affects their prestige. However, they can't bury the news anymore. 

CFWIJ spoke on the matter with Sima Sabet, senior reporter and presenter of Talk Show Program on Iran International TV, and what it means to be a woman journalist reporting on Iran from inside and outside the country. Sabet said that the threats to Iran International TV go beyond the staff members. Journalists' families and loved ones have also been threatened. 

Aside from physical threats, online threats of kidnapping, rape and hanging are part of the vile rhetoric mainly targeting women journalists. "It is extremely wrong that journalists have to face these types of threats simply for reporting and telling the world what is happening inside Iran," added the journalist. Sabet said that at first she was shocked but then she took it as a fight. 

"They wanted to silence me and I didn't want to submit. So, as soon as I could, I got my show on air again and made sure that they couldn't silence me," said Sabet, who within hours of landing in Washington DC went straight to work despite feeling fatigue and jet lag.

Reporting on Iran from another country is also difficult, but at the same time a lot of citizen journalists inside the country disseminate information through recording everything that is happening so it is becoming increasingly difficult for the regime to silence the media.

Speaking on the importance of women journalists having a voice Sabet said that it is more vital than ever. The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, has ignited an unprecedented women-led revolution. This is the first time ever in the world that a revolution is happening in an Islamic country in which women are at the forefront and are supported by everyone. "There has been enormous pressure on everyone to keep silent, but we cannot. This is a unique lifetime opportunity for everyone to make a change, to bring a change into the country. Women are the largest population who have suffered from four decades of patriarchal oppression, inequality and lack of justice." 

Elaborating on the challenges faced and the environment women journalists in Iran have to work in Sabet said that whatever male journalists experience, women journalists experience it immeasurably more. Women in journalism experience any type of inequality in a more severe way. It is very important to note that the journalists who broke the news and reported on Mahsa Amini's death are women, who have since been incarcerated and accused of espionage.

In Iran, all women want is their fair share of life. "Especially as women journalists, we share the same suffrage. We understand the extent of unhappiness and we have an obligation to talk about it. We have to be the voice for all those who have suffered from this unjust rule. I'm not going to stop until the very last moment that I have this opportunity. I feel obliged. It's beyond work for me. It's a human responsibility. Having further public opinion and support is crucial. Giving a voice to unheard people is vital to the revolution. I want to go back to my country. Things have to change," said Sabet. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with Sima Sabet and the entire staff of Iran International TV. We vehemently denounce all tactics of intimidation and censorship used by the Iranian government towards free media. Any attack on journalists is an attack on democracy. Journalism is not a crime. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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