A woman collects rocks in street rally following the presidential election in Iran on 12 June. Photo: STR/AP

In Iran, pressure is mounting on media and journalists as street rallies continue. More than 30 prominent Iranian journalists and bloggers have been reported arrested, and international media monitoring groups say that many others feel compelled to go into hiding out of fear

One of those in hiding is the chair of the Association of Iranian Journalists, Mr. Ali Mazrooei. According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Mazrooei and other leaders of the Association of Iranian Journalists have been forced to go into hiding following the recent arrests of journalists and demonstrators.

At the same time, several opposition newspapers have been closed down.

Ali, an activist based in Teheran, describes to IMS the situation as follows:

- The main newspapers are under strict supervision. We have now only three or four reformist newspapers which cannot publish the news, the way they like. The main news is being written for them by the authorities. Even titles and subtitles are being chosen by others, he says and goes on to explain the peculiar situation in which Iranian media operate right now:

Media coverage does not match the realities in the streets

- We only have one television station with 8 channels, and they are all controlled by the state. News in TV or radios is now about the crash in the subway in the US, the victory of Roger Federer in his first match in Wimbledon, the scandal in British Parliament - but not a single news item about the trauma of the streets. They are showing the calm streets of Tehran, and interviewing selected people and shopkeepers who are confirming the stability of the country. Watching TV means driving yourself mad intentionally, as Ali puts it.

A young journalist based in Teheran is keeping IMS updated on the situation on a daily basis.

- Most importantly, outside of Iran there are people who will continue to keep us on the top of their news. It is not safe for me to write this. Everything is tapped and controlled. Till now, I have been threatened by anonymous calls twice.

International calls to respect freedom of expression

The International Federation of Journalists has called on the Iranian authorities to guarantee the safety and freedom of all journalists attempting to cover events in Iran.

- The Iranian authorities must immediately release all imprisoned journalists and send a clear signal that journalists are to be allowed to work freely and without fear of arrest or intimidation, says Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary.

According to Reporters Without Borders, Iran now ranks alongside China as the world's biggest prison for journalists.

UN secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon has urged the Iranian authorities to respect fundamental political and civic rights including freedom of expression, the right to inform the public and the right to free assembly.