BBC Persian journalists who work for the British Broadcasting Corporation have received warnings from the Iranian authorities, stating that their movements are being closely monitored and their families are under threat. The threats include arrest and seizure of assets unless they stop reporting on unrest in Iran.
These journalists claim that family members had been warned by security forces that they knew where and when the journalists worked, as well as the position of their desk in the newsroom. This information has been used to intimidate them into stopping their reporting.
Staff working for BBC Persian have reported increased pressure following the unrest that led to tens of thousands of deaths in Iran. The Iranian authorities are also believed to be monitoring the activities of journalists on UK soil, despite being outside the country.
In response, some journalists have taken extra security measures to protect themselves and their families, while others have been forced to quit due to financial pressures placed on their relatives.
One journalist, who wishes to remain anonymous out of fear for his safety, spoke about the threats he had received. He claimed that the Iranian authorities knew everything about him, including where he lived and worked. They also knew which programme he was working on and told him they were not happy with it.
The journalist's family has been warned by security forces that London is not safe, and his father had even been detained. The journalist expressed concerns about the lack of safety and protection for journalists in the UK and their families.
There have been credible threats to Iranian journalists living in the UK, including physical harm. In recent years, three Iranians were charged with targeting UK-based journalists, and it is believed that the Iranian authorities are using third-party criminals to carry out these attacks.
Journalists working for BBC Persian have reported feeling guilty about not being able to protect their families from the pressure and threats they face. The journalist who spoke anonymously described feeling a sense of shame when thinking about his family's situation and the fact that he is free to live in the UK while they are under threat.
The situation has become even more critical following Iran's internet shutdown, which began on 8 January and followed nearly two weeks of anti-government protests. The Iranian authorities appear to have relaxed internet restrictions more recently, but not removed them, after the violent suppression of protests by security forces.
Journalists working for BBC Persian are calling for an independent inquiry into the number of people killed during the unrest in Iran.
These journalists claim that family members had been warned by security forces that they knew where and when the journalists worked, as well as the position of their desk in the newsroom. This information has been used to intimidate them into stopping their reporting.
Staff working for BBC Persian have reported increased pressure following the unrest that led to tens of thousands of deaths in Iran. The Iranian authorities are also believed to be monitoring the activities of journalists on UK soil, despite being outside the country.
In response, some journalists have taken extra security measures to protect themselves and their families, while others have been forced to quit due to financial pressures placed on their relatives.
One journalist, who wishes to remain anonymous out of fear for his safety, spoke about the threats he had received. He claimed that the Iranian authorities knew everything about him, including where he lived and worked. They also knew which programme he was working on and told him they were not happy with it.
The journalist's family has been warned by security forces that London is not safe, and his father had even been detained. The journalist expressed concerns about the lack of safety and protection for journalists in the UK and their families.
There have been credible threats to Iranian journalists living in the UK, including physical harm. In recent years, three Iranians were charged with targeting UK-based journalists, and it is believed that the Iranian authorities are using third-party criminals to carry out these attacks.
Journalists working for BBC Persian have reported feeling guilty about not being able to protect their families from the pressure and threats they face. The journalist who spoke anonymously described feeling a sense of shame when thinking about his family's situation and the fact that he is free to live in the UK while they are under threat.
The situation has become even more critical following Iran's internet shutdown, which began on 8 January and followed nearly two weeks of anti-government protests. The Iranian authorities appear to have relaxed internet restrictions more recently, but not removed them, after the violent suppression of protests by security forces.
Journalists working for BBC Persian are calling for an independent inquiry into the number of people killed during the unrest in Iran.
I'm totally frustrated when I think about all these journalists getting threatened just to do their job 
. It's like they're walking on eggshells, never knowing if someone will show up at their doorstep and cause trouble 
. I mean, can't we just expect freedom of speech and protection from our governments? 
It's like the Iranian authorities are saying, "You know what? We'll just watch you, wait for you to slip up, and then take action." That's some serious bullying tactics, in my book 
.
. I wish the BBC would just step up and do something to protect them, you know? 
I mean, that's like taking away their right to free speech altogether! It's like the authorities are saying, "We're not going to let you report on this because it makes us uncomfortable." Uncomfortable?! That's what journalism is all about 
.
.
It's just heartbreaking to see how much pressure these journalists and their families are under. I feel like they're being forced to choose between their jobs and keeping their loved ones safe. It's not right that they have to live with this constant fear. 
We need more support for these brave individuals who put themselves in harm's way to tell the stories we need to hear.
like whoa security forces are monitoring their families and threatening to arrest them unless they stop reporting on the unrest 
it sucks for all those journalist who r trying to just do their job and not get caught up in all this drama 
that third-party criminal thing tho 
but the iranian gov is all like "stop reporting or we'll arrest u & take ur assets". 
u cant even be safe in ur own country anymore. they deserve some serious protection & support from the british gov ASAP 
. and the fact that iran is monitoring bbc persian journalists even when they're not in the country is just chilling 
. journalists should be able to report without fear of retribution or physical harm, it's basic human rights stuff 
. i'm all for holding ppl accountable but not at the expense of freedom of speech and press 
.
. And I agree with these BBC Persian journalists who want an independent inquiry into all the deaths during the unrest in Iran. It's time for someone to take a closer look at what happened and make sure justice is served 
.
and it's not just in Iran, they're also being watched & threatened here in the UK 
! what's going on here is a clear case of VIOLENCE AGAINST THE PRESS 
I just got back from the most random road trip to the countryside and saw a deer literally grazing next to the road... like, what are the chances? 
Anyway, back to this Iranian thing... isn't it wild how politics can affect your personal life, like having your family's safety threatened because of your job? 
they're basically being blackmailed by the Iranian authorities, who know every detail about their personal lives and workplaces 
and now with the internet shutdown, it's even harder for them to do their job without getting harassed 
why can't we just let journalists do their job without putting themselves and their loved ones at risk? 
. It’s like, where do you draw the line? They're just doing their job, right? I feel so bad for these guys who are having to quit or take extra security measures just to protect themselves...