The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on Iranian authorities to reopen the office of the Association of Iranian Journalists (AoIJ) which was closed down on 5 August on the order of the government's general prosecutor. The Association said the decision was illegal and has submitted an application signed by 325 Iranian journalists to the prosecutor general for the reopening of their office.

"This measure was clearly designed to disrupt the work of the Association," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. "One month after the office's closure, there has been no explanation for it, making it yet another act of media repression played out in recent months in Iran."

According to the AoIJ, an IFJ affiliate, the authorities closed down their office shortly before the general assembly which had been convened to discuss the media clampdown in Iran in the wake of the controversial June presidential election. 

The disputed re-election of President Ahmoud Ahmedinejad led the authorities to wage a campaign of intimidation of the media in their effort to suppress independent reporting of the widespread unrest and show of defiance to the regime in Iran. At least 38 journalists are believed to be in prison and scores more have fled the country for fear of arrests.

The IFJ has consistently said that repressive methods used against media in Iran are stifling new dialogue and further erode the government's credibility and standing home and abroad.

"It is time the government acknowledges that press freedom is needed to heal divisions in today's Iranian society," added White. "That will not happen unless journalists are free to go about their work without undue interference."

For more information contact the IFJ at +32 2 235 2207

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide