Iran detains alleged journalists working for BBC Persian

[News_Editor]

Iran detains alleged journalists working for BBC Persian

2012-02-08 05:50:17 GMT+7 (ICT)

LONDON/TEHRAN (BNO NEWS) -- Iranian authorities have reportedly detained several people who allegedly worked for the Farsi-language service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The broadcaster denied the allegations.

Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency reported on Monday evening that "a number of people, deceived by the lie-spreading BBC Persian network," had been arrested. The report cited unnamed sources as saying that those arrested were allegedly receiving 'huge amounts' of money to collect news and information from Iran for the BBC.

But a statement from the BBC denied the report, claiming no BBC Persian staff members are currently working inside Iran. The arrests come just days after the BBC accused Iranian authorities of a campaign of bullying and harassment against those working for its Persian service.

"These latest reports appear to confirm our recent statements and should be of deep concern to all those who believe in a free and independent media," a BBC spokesperson said. "They admit that the Iranian authorities are engaged in a persistent campaign, intimidating and arresting people who they claim have connections with the BBC Persian service."

In a blog published on Friday, the BBC's Director General Mark Thompson wrote that he had seen "disturbing new tactics", including the targeting of family members of Persian service staff working outside Iran. He also said some staff had their Facebook and email accounts hacked.

In September 2011, Iran arrested six filmmakers who were allegedly paid to produce secret reports for the BBC Persian service. However, the corporation said they were independent and that it had merely bought the rights to broadcast their documentaries.

According to Reporters Without Borders, Iran is one of the worst countries in the world in regards to press freedom. Only Syria, Turkmenistan, North Korea, and Eritrea are considered to be worse environments for journalists.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-02-08

[Reasonableman]

Creative news-gathering methods must sometimes be used where governments want to conceal the truth of what is happening inside their countries. Unsurprisingly, some of these methods may be quasi-legal. Subcontracting newsgathering is one such practice. Otherwise, we must rely on FB, Twitter, and unconfirmed photos/video from people on the ground. The BBC, like many other national government news services, is in theory independent, in fact affected by domestic values, standards, and political agendas. This can sometimes be detrimental to objective reporting, and sometimes its greatest asset.

Edited February 8, 2012 by Reasonableman

[maiphedmaiaroi]

Why is everything to do with IRAN making its way to the world news forum on thavisa or any other media outlet?

I have read MUCH BIGGER stories over the past few weeks.

Part of the brainwashing tool?

Its all propagandaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[Morch]

Unsurprisingly, some of these methods may be quasi-legal. Subcontracting newsgathering is one such practice.

How is subcontracting newsgathering quasi-legal?

Practically all media outfits employ freelancers.

[Morch]

Why is everything to do with IRAN making its way to the world news forum on thavisa or any other media outlet?

I have read MUCH BIGGER stories over the past few weeks.

Part of the brainwashing tool?

Its all propagandaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Iran is one of the big stories right now, so naturally it will appear more in any news section.

Do the rounds in other international news web boards and you'll find much of the same.

This isn't about brainwashing or propoganda, more about being in the eye of the storm.

In very much the same way, Thailand got more headlines during the red-shirt demonstrations, not all dealing directly with that issue.

Iran's authorities aren't very open to unfavorable or critical media coverage. This is not the first instance in which such issues were raised.

[Reasonableman]

Unsurprisingly, some of these methods may be quasi-legal. Subcontracting newsgathering is one such practice.

How is subcontracting newsgathering quasi-legal?

Practically all media outfits employ freelancers.

It is an attempt (one I endorse, by the way) for international news organisations to continue to get news out of these countries. Its main failing is its potential lack of objectivity, and whether the relationship between the organisation (e.g., the BBC) is a contractual one, whereby it may be viewed as illegal by the host country. It also puts these people at considerable risk, as it seems in this reported case, when they may be accused of being spies, or at least of being the agents of news orgs trying to get around the embargo on foreign journalists' operating in a country.

[Reasonableman]

Why is everything to do with IRAN making its way to the world news forum on thavisa or any other media outlet?

I have read MUCH BIGGER stories over the past few weeks.

Part of the brainwashing tool?

Its all propagandaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

If you're not happy with the policy, you should take it up with TV direct. It is all news as far as I can see, and not biased towards/against Iran, which is currently big international news for a whole range of issues/reasons.

[Scott]

I don't know that there have been an over abundance of stories about Iran. There have been a fair number of threads about Iran that stayed active long past their 'use by' date. The story of a journalist being detained generally does make the news, since journalists write the news.

Thaivisa does not generate the world news stories. They come from an outside source.

[Orac]

Didn't the UK pull Press TVs licence recently due to none payment of a fine - maybe this is just a retaliation.

[Scott]

I believe that is correct. It's a good point.

[Jingthing]

Get used to hearing more leading news about Iran. In my view, war is coming.

[Morch]

Unsurprisingly, some of these methods may be quasi-legal. Subcontracting newsgathering is one such practice.

How is subcontracting newsgathering quasi-legal?

Practically all media outfits employ freelancers.

It is an attempt (one I endorse, by the way) for international news organisations to continue to get news out of these countries. Its main failing is its potential lack of objectivity, and whether the relationship between the organisation (e.g., the BBC) is a contractual one, whereby it may be viewed as illegal by the host country. It also puts these people at considerable risk, as it seems in this reported case, when they may be accused of being spies, or at least of being the agents of news orgs trying to get around the embargo on foreign journalists' operating in a country.

By that standard, you never ever get objective news. Every report or news piece is sure to be, at least to some degree, influenced by reporter's disposition, beliefs and views. Same goes for media organisations in general - there is always some amount of bias.

I think that this is acceptable (and perhaps unavoidable) up to a certain level. There's a fine line between government owned/supported news agencies in democratic countries compared with similar ones in other places.

[Morch]

Didn't the UK pull Press TVs licence recently due to none payment of a fine - maybe this is just a retaliation.

Not exactly.

There was some controversy over an interview with a reporter arrested in Iran and aired by Press TV. It was later claimed that some of the statements in the interview were made under duress. Investigation found some basis for this, a fine was placed and ignored, a war of accusations ensued.

Further investigations revealed infringements of licence terms (having to do with ownership and editorial control), for which the licence was banned. There was an offer for Press TV to make some changes regarding that, but nothing came out of it.

Pretty sure that jamming Brirish and American media broadcasts to Iran didn't make authorities happy, but can't pin it all on that. Of course, none of Press TV's reporters were jailed etc...

[metisdead]

A baiting post has been removed. If the baiting continues, posting rights may be removed.

[Scott]

Off-topic post removed.

[nong38]

Iran is the most dangerous country on earth at the moment. Are they developing a nuclear capabliity or not? How worried should we be? What will the Isrealis do remember their strike on Iraq and Syria? I would say that the next 12-18th months this is a very volatile place to be. Anyone flying to Europe from Thailand needs to watch this very carefully. I dont think the US wants an military action here but does not rule it out but can they contain the Isrealis? Can the threat be illiminated in one go, whilst all the waiting is going on what are the Iranians doing? If they really are going nuclear ?time is short, once they have the capablitiy thats it and it can easliy be exported by militants, this is the biggest worry to world security at this moment in time only I ran knows what is going on but if they are not more open about it it could invite a cauldron in the region that will affect the world as we know it, whether we fly through or by it or try to aquire the resources of the region, oil is bound to spike and that will affect us all. The headlines are just a part of the picture. The best option here would be a revoulution with a more open minded government who looked for peace and stability but hostilities would push that further away as the country would unite against any aggression.

I would be worried flying over this part of the world this year, very worried.

Edited February 9, 2012 by nong38

[Credo]

When they were arrested, what were the charges? I hope they don't nail them with spying. I think that's a pretty harsh punishment in Iran.