Iran Transnational Repression
Metadata
- Iran Transnational Repression
- June 26, 2024
- Content Type Package
- Language English
- Transcript/Script PLAYBOOK SLUG: TV PF Iran Transnational Repression HEADLINE: Brazen attacks outside Iran’s borders prompt push to better protect journalists TEASER: Following attacks against Iran International, legal team pushes U.S. lawmakers for a more united response to Tehran’s threats PUBLISHED AT: 6/26/24, 11:10 am BYLINE: Liam Scott CONTRIBUTOR: DATELINE: Washington VIDEOGRAPHER: Adam Greenbaum VIDEO EDITOR: SCRIPT EDITORS: JJ, Baragona, sv (bal) VIDEO SOURCE(S): PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __ TRT: 2:39 VID APPROVED BY: Baragona TYPE: EDITOR NOTES: For VOA Press Freedom and Inside Story. Questions/Review Jessica Jerreat, Liam Scott)) ((INTRO)) As Tehran ramps up attacks on the diaspora news outlet Iran International, lawyers are working with U.S. officials to push back. From Washington, VOA’s Liam Scott has the story. )) ((VIDEO Clip 073_6835.MXF: Footage from Iran International newsroom: world clock 0:00-0:05 THEN VIDEO Clip 073_6832.MXF: Staff working 0:00-0:05 to VIDEO Clip 073_6840.MXF Footage Capitol building on control room screen, 0:00-0:05)) ((NARRATION)) Moving a 24/7 newsroom across an ocean nearly overnight is no easy task. But that’s the situation the Washington-based team of Iran International found themselves in after a series of attacks on their London colleagues forced its British headquarters to temporarily close last year. ((For Radio: Mehdi Parpanchi is executive editor of Iran International)) ((pronounced ParPanChee)) ((Mehdi Parpanchi, Iran International Executive Editor)) ((Male/English)) ((Clip 073_6818.1.mxf)) ((9:05-9:17)) “Their aim was to stop Iran International TV, and we couldn’t let it happen. We had to do whatever we can to keep the channel on air.” ((GFX headlines of international media coverage of the attacks)) ((NARRATION)) Attacks against the broadcaster have been brash. Foiled assassination plots, a stabbing in London, and threats so serious that a reporter in Sweden moved to a safe house in June. Tehran is believed to be behind these incidents and more. ((For radio: Again Parpanchi)) ((Mehdi Parpanchi, Iran International Executive Editor)) ((Male/English)) ((Clip 073_6818.1.mxf)) ((3:27-3:40)) “These kinds of threats are increasing, unfortunately. And I mean, right now, it is mostly targeting Iran International journalists, but there is no reason to believe that it will stop there.” ((VOA VIDEO Clip tehran-iran-2019-traffic-in-front-of-the-entrance-of-tehran-railway-station-SBV-348834286-HD.mp4)) ((Footage Tehran train station with images of Iranian flags and leaders, 000-0:13)) THEN ((VIDEO Clip 073_6817.MXF)) ((Footage Gallagher talking, 0:00-0:10)) ((NARRATION)) Tehran is one of dozens of governments that engage in tactics known as transnational repression to silence critics outside their own borders. ((For Radio: Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC is a barrister at London’s Doughty Street Chambers who specializes in human rights.)) ((Caoilfhionn is pronounced Keelan ((KEE-lin?)) )) ((Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, Doughty Street Chambers)) ((Female/English)) ((Clip 073_6816.MXF)) ((0:33-0:48)) “Iran for many years targeted journalists on its own soil. But what has started to develop into an industry on a huge scale in Iran has been transnational repression targeting journalists outside the country, using the long arm of the state to try to silence journalists.” ((VIDEO Clip REUTERS - Iran Foreign Ministry.mp4)) (Footage Foreign Ministry 0:00-0:06)) ((Mandatory: Reuters)) ((NARRATION)) Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not reply to VOA’s email requesting comment. ((VIDEO Clip IMG_0064.MOV: Footage Stevens walking down hall in Dirksen, 0:05-0:10 THEN VIDEO Clip 073_6807.MXF Footage Stevens in meeting, 0:05-0:11)) ((NARRATION)) In Washington, the international legal team supporting Iran International is meeting with lawmakers, White House officials and think tanks to raise awareness. A key issue, they say, is that governments tend to respond to attacks on their own. ((For radio: Mark Stephens is a partner at the London law firm Howard Kennedy.)) ((Mark Stephens, Howard Kennedy LLP)) ((Male/English)) ((Clip 073_6811.MXF)) ((1:50-2:00)) “It’s time that I think we catch up as states, we make sure that the governments are cooperating, that they’re sharing knowledge.” ((VIDEO Clip 073_6834.MXF Footage staffer working, 0:00-0:05 THEN VIDEO Clip 073_6838.MXF Footage staffers working, 0:00-0:05)) ((NARRATION)) For Iran International journalists, their families back home are also at risk of retaliation. ((VIDEO Clip 073_6825.MXF Footage Parpanchi working 0:00-0:10)) ((NARRATION)) Parpanchi says nearly all Iranian journalists he can think of have come under some form of pressure. ((Mehdi Parpanchi, Iran International Executive Editor)) ((Male/English)) ((Clip 073_6818.1.mxf)) ((18:05-18:11)) “Threats can never become normal. No journalist should be subjected to any kind of threats, specifically life-threatening threats.” ((VIDEO Clip VOA Masih Alinejad 02.mp4)) ((Footage Masih presenting, 0:00-0:05)) THEN ((VIDEO Clip Masih Alinejad 01.mp4)) ((Footage Masih presenting, 0:00-0:05)) ((NARRATION)) Named after VOA Persian host Masih Alinejad, the United States already has a law imposing sanctions on those seeking to carry out Iran-backed attacks. ((VIDEO Clip 073_6817.MXF Footage Gallagher talking, 0:30-0:40)) ((NARRATION)) But Gallagher is pressing lawmakers to take a more active role. ((Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, Doughty Street Chambers)) ((Female/English)) ((Clip 073_6816.MXF)) ((2:51-3:06)) “Were it not for brave journalists who, despite the risks, are telling us those stories, we simply wouldn’t know what’s happening within Iran. And that is something which should trouble every single American. And it’s why we all must stand up for freedom of expression, and for the right of journalists to do their job without fear.” ((BROLL Clip 073_6848.MXF Footage Iran International sign, 0:00-0:10)) ((NARRATION)) While their lawyers look for long-term solutions to keep the team safe, Iran International’s journalists continue their work, broadcasting to audiences inside Iran. ((Liam Scott, VOA News))
- NewsML Media Topics Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
- Subtitles / Dubbing Available No
- Network VOA
- Embargo Date June 26, 2024 11:46 EDT
- Byline Liam Scott
- Brand / Language Service Voice of America