The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) says Iran is “one of the worst jailors of journalist in the world” with 27 journalists behind bars in Iranian prisons.

IFJ President Jim Boumelha said: “President Rohani promised reform and change when he came into power, but the reality for media in Iran has been very different.”

The organization appeals to President Rohani and his government to make good on his campaign promises by securing the release of all jailed journalists.

Iran has been on the blacklist of pree right organizations for several years. Hassan Rohani promised greater press freedom amongst other freedoms as part of his campaign platform last year. However, Iranian reformists speculate that the judiciary’s harsh stance against journalists is a backlash against the vicotry of Hassan Rohani in the elction and a means of discrediting his progressive stance.

Radio Zamaneh