Iran: Hiding the Spread of the Coronavirus and Repressing Independent Information

According to official reports released on February 25, the coronavirus epidemic has killed 15 people and infected 95 in Iran. Following China’s example, Iran appears to be hiding information about the actual spread of the disease. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) strongly condemns the crackdown on the media and journalists who publish independent news.

On February 20, media close to the government announced that two Iranians had died in the holy city of Qom after being tested positive for the new coronavirus (covid-19). These publications suddenly revealed that the virus was present in the population. Since then, the authorities claim to control the situation, but refuse to publish the exact number of those infected and dead, and prevent journalists from doing their work.

On February 23, freelance journalist Mohammad Mosaed , was summoned and interrogated by intelligence agents of the Revolutionary Guards, following his messages on the epidemic posted on social networks. He was released, but his phone and computer were seized, and his Twitter and Telegram accounts closed.

The following day, in a press statement, the deputy of Qom, Ahmad Amir Abadi Frahani , highlighted an example of official misinformation: “the epidemic started three weeks ago, but the ministry of health in delayed the announcement. In two weeks, fifty people were killed in Qom by the virus ”. The initial source of contamination is the Koranic school in the city, which receives Chinese religious students.

Immediately, Iraj Harirchi , director general of the ministry of health, denied the declaration of deputy Frahani and denounced a “propaganda war”, repeating the remarks made two days earlier by the supreme leader of the revolution Ali Khamenei. However, the next day, the member and the director general both learned that they were infected with the virus.

On social networks , journalists protest against censorship, lies and the incompetence of the authorities in this area. Internet users claim that the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by Johns Hopkins CSSE site , which publishes the exact figures of coronavirus victims worldwide in real time, is inaccessible in various cities across the country. Faced with this challenge, the head of the cyber police (FTA), Vahid Majid, announced that around thirty Internet users had been arrested in various provinces, and charged with “spreading false news about the spread of the virus”.

” For the past year, the Islamic Republic has been concealing information on crises and disasters – floods , popular protest movement , destruction in flight of the Ukrainian Boeing ,” deplores RSF Iran office manager Reza Moini; respect for the public’s right to quality, complete, independent and pluralistic information, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is the best way to protect the population and fight rumors. Withholding information can kill. “

Iran ranks 170 out of 180 in RSF’s      2019 World Press Freedom Index

Copyright ©2016, Reporters Without Borders. Used with the permission of Reporters Without Borders(RSF), CS 90247 75083 Paris Cedex 02 https://rsf.org

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