Iranian Journalists Face 10-Year Prison

Nine Iranian journalists are imprisoned, including Reza Valizadeh, who was detained in September 2024 and is serving a 10-year sentence. The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that the war with Israel and the United States has intensified media repression, leaving journalists to face legal threats, censorship and financial hardship.

Legal Perils Intensify

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) interviewed only five journalists in August, after many declined or stopped responding. A veteran in Tehran warned that speaking to a foreign organization could trigger a new case. “They will summon me, open another case against me, and ask why I spoke to a foreign organization,” he said, keeping his identity secret.

Since the war began on February 28, 2026, at least seven journalists have faced arrest, detention or summons. In July, Iran’s Intelligence Ministry published a list of “hostile” media outlets, including BBC Persian and Voice of America, and warned that providing them with information could lead to prosecution under the espionage law. In August, lawmakers approved a bill targeting “foreign influence,” banning interviews with hostile groups and requiring government clearance for some interactions with foreign journalists.

A photojournalist, Yalda Moaiery, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for giving interviews to hostile outlets and providing photographs to U.S.-linked organizations. She denies the charges and is appealing.

Movement and Information Blackout

During an 88-day internet blackout, connectivity dropped to about 1 %. Journalists could not report on the surging violence. The blackout also cut access to international databases, shipping trackers and official data. Even after the blackout eased in late May, slow speeds, forced VPN usage, blocked video calls and heavy surveillance persisted.

Ordinary press credentials no longer guaranteed access to strike sites. A journalist, Hadi Kasaeizadeh, could not photograph or report what he saw after Israeli missiles struck near his home. He said his press card and publishing license were useless. Authorities warned that photographing missile impact areas could lead to prosecution.

The restrictions on movement and information mirror the uncertainty faced by teams in the standings where a single loss can change the entire season. The layoffs at Shargh and Donya-e Eqtesad are listed in the stats section, reflecting the industry’s instability.

Financial Strain and Self-Censorship

Financial pressures have worsened. Many outlets struggle to pay salaries on time, forcing journalists to work multiple jobs. In April, Shargh reported that more than 100 journalists and administrative staff were laid off from one of Iran’s largest private media outlets. Donya-e Eqtesad also cut staff after failing to pay salaries and bonuses.

A journalist who has exposed state corruption for two decades said that wartime office raids and confiscated equipment forced him to stop publishing his magazine. He sold his motorcycle and later his car to cover household expenses and his children’s university tuition.

The erosion of trust has made sources reluctant to speak. Reza Asadabadi, who covers the labor market, said that even when names are kept confidential, officials and ordinary people fear speaking. He now checks a single story with seven or eight different people because official sources will not speak openly.

The fear of prosecution has changed how journalists work. A political reporter at a leading Tehran daily said that editors are routinely taking orders from security officials on how to cover sensitive subjects. He now uses more secure communication tools such as Signal and Telegram.

The fear of prosecution continues to shape the daily work of journalists.