The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns Iran's media freedom crackdown, urges immediate release of the journalist

Location: Iran, Tehran
Date: October 1, 2023

Authorities detain journalist Maryam Lotfi for attempting to report on the suspicious fainting of a 16-year-old girl in Tehran’s subway system. The circumstances surrounding the detention and any specific charges against Lotfi remain unclear at this time. The Coalition For Women In Journalism denounces the detention of journalist Maryam Lotfi and expresses deep concern over the blatant disregard for media freedom. We call for her immediate and unconditional release and urge the international community to prioritize cases involving journalists when engaging with Iran.

Maryam Lotfi, an Iranian journalist, was taken into custody in Tehran on Monday. Lotfi was reporting on the fainting of a teenage girl in the subway, who has fallen into a coma and is currently receiving medical treatment at a heavily secured hospital. It is presently unclear which agency detained the journalist or what she is accused of. 

The girl who fainted is a 16-year-old student. Media reports she fainted due to a “drop in sudden blood pressure” while attempting to board a train. According to Farzad Saifi-Karan, a correspondent for the Radio Zamaneh website, the young girl was without a hijab, leading to a scuffle resulting in the girl falling and hitting her head on an iron bar. 

The managing director of the Tehran subway system denies any verbal or physical conflict between the student and passengers or metro executives occurred.

Despite the extensive surveillance camera coverage in the metro and the city, footage of the incident has not provided a clear picture. The released video shows a cropped view from outside the train car, capturing a group of unveiled teenage girls entering the car and, later, passengers assisting an unconscious girl. No footage from potential cameras inside the metro car has been made available. 

Journalists and media professionals in Iran face various challenges, including harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests. They are often charged with spreading propaganda against the state or engaging in activities deemed threatening to national security. These actions restrict journalistic freedom and create an atmosphere of fear and self-censorship as journalists attempt to avoid punishment.

Since the nationwide protests erupted in September 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd who died in custody for an alleged violation of strict dress rules for women, the Iranian regime has put over 60 journalists behind bars. While some have been released, many remain in pretrial detention without certainty about their future or fate.

CFWIJ maintains close and active communication with its contacts in the field and on the ground. These courageous women continue to report back to us despite the grave risks they face, including the possibility of arrest, torture, and even reprisal killings.

Two women reporters, Niloofar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, have been in custody for over a year. They were detained after reporting on the death of Mahsa Amini and were subsequently classified as foreign agents and incriminated as being “primary sources of news for foreign media.”

The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in unwavering solidarity with Maryam Lotfi and all women journalists behind bars in Iran. We strongly condemn the acts of intimidation and censorship that restrict freedom of expression and demand Lofti’s immediate release. These actions are not only a violation of human rights but also an apparent attack on the vital role of women in journalism. We call upon the international community to take a proactive stance and prioritize the rights of journalists in Iran during their negotiations with the Iranian government. It is crucial to ensure that the rights and safety of journalists are given the attention they deserve.

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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