It is risky to be a journalist who works for a dissenting news outlet in Iran. Reportedly, arrests and imprisonment of free minded journalists has been escalating in recent years.
In fact, the Iranian regime is known to attack not only the reporters and broadcasters of independent and foreign information, but the recipients, as well. It is illegal to own satellite receiver equipment in Iran, but millions of Iranians use satellite equipment to tune into banned television networks. Equipment that has been confiscated by regime authorities is regularly replaced. Additionally, countless Iranians use virtual proxy networks (VPN) to evade restrictions on their use of the internet to gain information.
These conditions make the work of dissenting news outlets more important than ever, as they expose information that goes unreported by state-run media.
Iran National Television (INTV), known in Farsi as Simay Azadi, is such an outlet. On Friday, November 3rd, its 22nd public campaign to raise funds for its operations begins. INTV is a voice for the Iranian people, and is viewed by those households that have defied the regime’s ban on satellite television equipment.
Just as Iranian activists have been executed solely for supporting the main opposition group, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), contributors to INTV have reportedly been tortured and even executed for their journalist activities. Because of INTV’s coverage of popular protests, violence against INTV journalists is connected to the violence against PMOI activists.
The network has exposed conditions of Iranian prisons, especially their political wards, and INTV is an outlet for Iranian political prisoners to voice their continued opposition to the regime. Controversial projects like these have contributed to the growing popularity of INTV among Iranians who seek a democratic future for their country.
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