London-based Persian TV aims to air 'truth' about Iran protests

Truth in the Time of Protests London-based Persian TV's Brave Broadcast

London - As protests rage on in Iran, a London-based Persian-language TV station has been working tirelessly to bring the truth to light, despite threats against its journalists and their families.

Iran International, launched in 2017, was created to be a voice for the people of Iran, providing a platform for truthful reporting. The private broadcaster, located in a heavily secured building in west London, has faced intense scrutiny from Tehran, which labelled it a terrorist organization in 2022, along with the BBC's Persian-language channel. Despite this, Iranians can still access the channel via satellite and private VPN codes, and have continued to tune in even after authorities imposed an unprecedented nationwide communications blackout on January 8.

The station's journalists have been working around the clock to verify videos and testimonies sent by thousands of Iranians who managed to send footage of the crackdown. Presenter Reza Mohaddes expressed shock at the brutality of the regime, saying How can you do this sort of thing to your own people?

On Sunday, the channel reported that at least 36,500 people had been killed by security forces during the January 8-9 crackdown, citing newly obtained classified documents and accounts from medical sources and families.

A Brave Team

Journalist Farnoosh Faraji, who fled Iran in 2012, scrolled through images of piles of bodies, a man killed by a bullet in his back, and armed forces firing on fleeing protesters. She said Honestly, it's horrible. At the beginning I couldn't believe it. I thought maybe the images were made with AI. As part of the digital team, she spends her days analyzing footage of the bloodshed.

Presenter Reza Mohaddes emphasized his commitment to bringing the truth to light, saying I promised myself to be strong. I must help my people, this is part of my job.

Fiduciary Responsibilities

As a media outlet operating in a fiduciary capacity, Iran International takes its responsibilities seriously. Spokesman Adam Baillie emphasized that the channel is independent and supports neither Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's former shah who has backed the sweeping protests, nor Israel, contrary to allegations from Tehran.

The Power of Media

The channel estimates its weekly audience is probably now over 40 million, said Baillie. It is one of several Persian language outlets critical of Iran's clerical leadership operating from abroad, including the London-based station Manoto. According to Baillie, Iran International is the most-watched television channel inside Iran and is also followed by the large Iranian diaspora.

Anonymous Threats

Working at Iran International you need a lot of courage... You have to be quite tough, said Baillie. The threats against the channel have grown exponentially since they began. Faraji recalled how her best friend, who is still in Iran, was arrested and forced by police to send her a message urging her to resign.

Mohaddes recently received an anonymous email threatening to kill him and also to blow up the building. Like previous threats, the message was reported to London police.

Conclusion

Iran International's brave journalists are determined to keep broadcasting the truth about the protests in Iran, despite the risks and challenges they face. Their courage and commitment to reporting the facts are a testament to the power of media in bringing people together and holding those in power accountable.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

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