Iran: Exiled journalists still repressed by regime

At the end of September, Iran's judiciary announced it had confiscated assets belonging to individuals accused of "cooperation with hostile governments." The measure is part of a previously announced plan targeting around 400 people living abroad, including journalists, activists, artists and athletes, whose assets are to be seized.

Independent journalists, even those living in exile for a long time, are high on the regime's list of scapegoats during times of crisis. The government has published a list of names in state media, labeling these individuals "traitors to the homeland."

Family pressure

Exiled journalist Amir Soltanzadeh discovered his name on the government list. His bank account in Iran was frozen, containing the equivalent of around €500 ($555), which he used to buy gifts and flowers for family members.

Soltanzadeh noted it was "unjust" to list him as a traitor. His relatives have cut ties with his family because of his journalistic work, and his father lost his job due to the pressure.

"My father lost his job because of me. And because of me, my mother lives in constant anxiety — every time the phone rings, she has to wonder who is on the other end," Soltanzadeh said. He cut all direct contact with his family for several months to keep them safe.

Repression tools

Pressure against independent journalists is a recurring pattern in the Islamic Republic. During political tension, Western media outlets and journalists are often portrayed as agents of hostile intelligence services or mouthpieces spreading subversive propaganda.

The authorities use various tools to spy on reporters, including hacking social media accounts and intercepting conversations that are later used as evidence against contacts inside Iran. This repression affects which information reaches the public.

A journalist in Iran, who wished to remain anonymous, said reporting on detainees, state executions and protesters comes with major risks. "Journalists can only write on their personal pages in a very limited and censored way," the reporter stated. "In their reports, they are required to follow the government's official narrative."

Exile precautions

Many journalists are forced to leave the country due to constant pressure and the risk of being targeted. Omid Barin, a freelance journalist who occasionally contributes to DW, had to go into exile because of his work.

Barin's reporting focuses on human rights violations and the position of ethnic minorities in Iran. The pressure has made him "much more cautious and sensitive when communicating with sources inside the country, to avoid putting them in danger."

While living abroad, Barin is forced to take additional precautions in his daily life due to his work for media outlets that the Iranian regime considers "hostile." The threats he faces carry a clear message: abandon journalism or steer away from sensitive topics.