The monthly report on the suppression of media and journalists in February 2024, based on 42 documented cases this month, has been published. This 38-page report includes sections on “Statistical Analysis of Media and Journalists’ Suppression,” “Statistical Review of Misinformation in Press Cases,” “Frequent Media Events,” and “Chronology of Media and Journalists’ Suppression” for the period from February 1, 2024, to February 29, 2024 (Bahman 12, 1402 – Esfand 10, 1402).
According to the documented cases by the Defending Free Flow of Information organization, in February 2024, the Islamic Republic judicially prosecuted at least 35 journalists and media managers—comprising 26 men and 9 women.
The number of judicial prosecutions of journalists and media managers in February increased by 40% compared to the previous month. In January 2024 (Dey 11, 1402 – Bahman 11, 1402), a total of 25 journalists or media managers—comprising six women and 19 men—were judicially prosecuted.
Within just 29 days, the Islamic Republic unlawfully arrested at least seven journalists and media activists, detained and imprisoned two journalists, summoned eight journalists to judicial and security agencies, filed complaints against six journalists by government agencies, convicted one journalist in the press court, and sentenced 12 journalists in separate cases to a total of six years, nine months, and one day in prison, 67 million Tomans in fines, and six years of professional disqualification from journalism.
Security and judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic violated the legal rights of journalists under judicial prosecution at least 35 times in the past month. These violations included 13 instances of holding closed trials, eight instances of confiscating journalists’ property without presenting legal warrants, seven instances of preventing detained journalists from meeting with their families, six instances of denying detained journalists access to legal counsel, and one instance of issuing a verdict without holding a trial session.
In this month, six media outlets faced judicial prosecution. Among them, one media outlet was suspended, three were convicted in political and press courts, and two were acquitted in court hearings.