UN raises ‘grave concern’ with Iran over harassment of BBC News Persian staff

9 August 2022

UN raises ‘grave concern’ with Iran over harassment of BBC News Persian staff

The United Nations have raised concerns with Iran over the ongoing harassment of BBC News Persian staff, in a formal communication requesting Iran’s response and explanation. The UN communication comes after the BBC filed an urgent appeal to the UN in February 2022 against Iran’s ongoing harassment of BBC News Persian journalists. This includes online violence and gendered attacks faced by women journalists as well as increased financial pressure from an ongoing asset freeze, which operates as a blunt financial sanction against BBC News Persian journalists and their extended families.

The UN communication was sent to Iran on 28 May 2022 and has now been published along with Iran’s response.

The UN experts expressed their “grave concern over the continuation of reported harassment and intimidation of the BBC News Persian staff and their family members, which appears to be aimed at preventing them from continuing their journalistic activities with BBC News Persian.”

The communication was sent by four UN specialist experts who work on arbitrary detention, freedom of speech, violence against women and Iran. It set out the pattern of harassment that BBC journalists have suffered over the past decade, including “the systematic attacks, including harassment, asset freezing, serious threats, and defamation campaigns implemented by the authorities against BBC News Persian journalists”. The UN experts also raised concern about the surveillance of journalists and the harassment of their journalistic sources in Iran, the interrogation of family members of BBC journalists, and the pressure placed on BBC journalists ‘to leave their jobs’ – all of which may have a ‘chilling effect’ on journalism.

According to the UN experts, these measures “show a pattern and practice of employing these measures by the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran to hinder journalists from carrying out their work”.

The BBC filed a new UN complaint earlier this year which focused on online harms and threats directed at women journalists working at BBC News Persian. The UN experts said they were “particularly concerned at the gendered physical and psychological threats and attacks against women journalists of BBC News Persian including death and rape threats online”.

They further stated: “Given the importance of an online presence for the exercise of contemporary journalism, online violence undermines women journalists’ ability to fully participate in the profession.”

In Iran’s response to the UN experts, it seeks to justify its treatment of BBC journalists by falsely claiming their journalism is aimed at ‘the overthrow of the Islamic Republic’, complains of ‘hostile’ coverage which ‘tarnishes’ the regime, and falsely asserts that BBC reporting has ‘incited riots’.

The UN experts made a number of specific requests for information about the status of the asset freeze and an explanation of the justification and legal basis for it, as well as a request that Iran provide “information about the legal and factual basis for interrogating the families of journalists working abroad” and how it is compatible with Iran’s international human-rights obligations. They also requested specific measures that Iran is taking “to protect women journalists, including in the digital space and against online threats”. Iran’s response failed to answer these requests.

Liliane Landor, Director of BBC World Service (pictured) says: “We are grateful to the United Nations for raising our grave concerns about the treatment of our BBC News Persian journalists. We reject Iran’s attempt to justify its behaviour – the sanctions and harassment against our colleagues and their families must stop.”

Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC and Jennifer Robinson of Doughty Street Chambers, counsel for the BBC World Service, said: “Iran’s aggressive, defensive response to the UN experts provides a revealing insight into how it considers independent journalism: a threat to its power, which must be silenced. Iran’s words confirm the accuracy and urgency of the grave concerns raised by the UN. The international community must now hold Iran to account and take steps to ensure that our brave clients from BBC News Persian are no longer targeted and harassed simply for doing their jobs – simply for being journalists.”

Michelle Stanistreet, National Union of Journalists General Secretary, said: “The NUJ thanks the UN for taking up the cases of our journalists and their families at BBC News Persian, who have been subjected to a horrific policy of abuse from the Iranian authorities, with women being made the target of dirty tricks and false stories often of a sexual nature. Iran’s response has been deeply shocking. BBC News Persian journalists uphold the best of journalistic standards in their reporting of the situation in Iran. The UN must follow up on the refusal of the Iranian government to drop its freezing of assets and again seek assurances to guarantee it will stop the targeted attacks on journalists and their families.”

The UN experts also warned Iran that they intend to raise public concern about the treatment of BBC News Persian staff, stating “the wider public should be alerted” to Iran’s conduct towards journalists.

Since 2017, the BBC World Service has filed a number of UN complaints over the treatment of BBC News Persian staff and their families, represented by Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC and Jennifer Robinson at Doughty Street Chambers and supported by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Notes for Editors

The UN communication was sent by four experts:

Mumba Malila, Vice-Chair of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention;
Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression;
Javaid Rehman, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran; and
Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences.

The UN communication to Iran is accessible here: https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=27277
The Islamic Republic of Iran government response is accessible here: https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=37044
UN procedures on communications to governments are available here: https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures-human-rights-council/what-are-communications. After UN communications are made, the relevant government has 60 days to respond and only after this is the complaint made public.

[Source: BBC press release]

DW’s TV highlights in August

4 August 2022

DW’s TV highlights in August

DW’s high-summer TV highlights includes top documentary picks, plus the latest Bundesliga news from “Kick off!” and three upcoming shows to look out for soon.

Afrimaxx Premiere \| August 5 DW is set to roll out the new format “Afrimaxx” on August 5. An African adaptation of the popular DW lifestyle magazine “Euromaxx”, the format promises an eclectic line-up of episodes featuring the continent’s most-inspiring and character-driven creatives from the world of fashion and design through to architecture, art, food and travel. With South African host Ayanda Thabethe keeping a keen eye on current trends, the show follows updates on everything game-changing in Africa and charts the hotspots and latest arrivistes on Africa’s lifestyle scene, from under-the-radar start-ups to well-known brand names. Released every Friday.
Mahatma Gandhi’s Legacy – Where Is India Headed? Premiere \| August 6 Ahead of India’s 75th year of independence, DW presents a two-parter that explores Gandhi’s special brand of non-violent resistance that paved the way for India’s independence from British colonial rule in 1947. The documentary reveals more about the religious pluralism espoused by Gandhi that shifted power dynamics in the country, and how fast forward to today, the political narrative moves tentatively towards an India fuelled by Hindu nationalism. What lessons can be drawn from Gandhi’s legacy that could help reshape modern-day India? Stay tuned.
Kick off! DW Magazine \| August 9 August is a big month for the Bundesliga fans, as the 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign kicks off August 5 and clubs across Germany begin their pre-season preparations. DW’s magazine “Kick off!” has the low-down on the latest outgoing and new-coming stars and returnees. It also features what’s in store for this year’s Berlin derby and why this special Bundesliga fixture goes deeper than a footballing rivalry.
Thirst – When the Wells Run Dry Documentary \| August 10, 17, 24 For fans of everything life-science related, here’s a documentary that presents an ominous follow-up to the July news of Europe’s heatwave and Italy’s drought-hit Po River. “Thirst” is a timely documentary that tackles one of the hottest political and scientific topics: the prospect of drought and water scarcity as climate changes. The three-parter packs a powerful punch: the world is on track to blaze, the planet is going to run out of water, and we need to act on climate change. The glimmer of good news is luckily delivered on the third subtitle, exploring “The Last Resources”. Out on Wednesdays starting August 10.
A Mediterranean Journey Premiere \| Aug 14, 21, 28 Sineb El Masrar and Jaafar Abdul Karim pack their bags for DW’s latest TV jaunt “A Mediterranean Journey”. Visiting Middle Eastern countries which have recently witnessed major geopolitical shifts, the duo kick off their travels in the bustling capital, Beirut, exploring the city by bike before ending the first leg of their trip and traveling solo to separate destinations. Sineb embarks on a thrilling road trip across Israel for the first time, getting a glimpse into the world of this multi-faith and multicultural society. Jaafar visits Egypt and crosses the Suez Canal by boat, delving into the history of the site. Two years in the making, our August offering journeys to three out of ten countries everyone’s talking about. You won’t want to miss on these TV moments. Catch on-demand starting August 14.

Shahid nearly doubles telecommunications operator partnerships in just 12 months

2 August 2022

Shahid nearly doubles telecommunications operator partnerships in just 12 months

Shahid – the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform (part of MBC GROUP) – has announced that it has nearly doubled its partnerships with telecommunications operators (telcos) in just one year. As a result, the number of user subscriptions for its premium offering, Shahid VIP purchased via mobile payment has more than doubled in just 12 months.

Since Shahid’s relaunch in 2020, the video on demand (VOD) and subscription video on demand (SVOD) platform has strengthened its distribution through telco partners in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), jumping from 17 by the end of 2020 to over 30 in 2021.

During that time, Shahid has expanded into territories including Morocco, Libya, Tunisia, Iraq, and Palestine, enabling direct carrier billing (DCB) for users to be able to purchase Shahid VIP via their mobile device rather than through a credit card, for example.

EXPANSION & MORE PARTNERSHIPS

DCB is just one of multiple methods users across the region can now enjoy Shahid VIP. For example, Shahid has also actively expanded its distribution through special bundles with telco partners in the region, including with Stc KSA, Zain KSA, Zain Kuwait, Stc Bahrain, Vodafone Egypt, Ooredoo Qatar, Asiacell Iraq, and Omantel. Here, customers of these operators can enjoy complimentary Shahid VIP as part of select mobile and broadband service plans.

Additionally, Shahid has launched an exclusive mobile plan, Shahid VIP Mobile, allowing better offerings for those using a prepaid mobile plan. A budget-friendly single-device package available across MENA, Shahid VIP Mobile is aimed at entertainment fans who prefer to only stream their content on the go. Available for either a single smartphone or tablet device, this special plan was first launched with an introductory two-month trial offer with Orange Morocco and Tunisia in Q4 of 2021, generating significant subscriber uptake. Building on the successful launch with Orange, Shahid VIP Mobile has gone on to already launch with seven operators and is planning more launches in the future in more markets. Multiple telecommunications companies have shown interest in this introductory package as a strong fit for their low Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) subscriber segment.

Natasha Matos-Hemingway, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer, Shahid commented: “We’re delighted with our telco partnerships so far, and we will continue to create more exciting partnerships to bring Shahid VIP’s outstanding content to more viewers across the region. To have more than doubled our Shahid VIP subscribers in 12 months via DCB alone is phenomenal.

“Thanks to the significant efforts made by the team and our partners, Shahid has launched new and relevant partnerships in key markets that allow users to access Shahid VIP in more ways. This is significant because we want our users to be able to choose from a number of payment methods based on their needs, such as the ease of subscribing through their telecommunications operator.

She continued: “As mobile networks strengthen and speeds get faster than ever in the MENA region, it also makes sense for us to expand on our exclusive Shahid VIP Mobile. Many consumers want an affordable way to watch premium content on the go, and we’ve met that need.”

MBC GROUP is the largest and leading media company in MENA.

[Source: MBC press release]

NHK WORLD Monthly Focus: Idealism+AI=Utopia?

1 August 2022

NHK WORLD Monthly Focus: Idealism+AI=Utopia?

Teen Regime Imagine a Japan facing deep stagnation. The government launches the experimental Utopi-AI to revitalize the nation. This involves using artificial intelligence to select new leaders. The AI’s pick is a boy of 17 who heads a leadership team of other youngsters. The aim is to combine the idealism of youth and the wisdom of the past provided by the AI. With an original screenplay by Yoshida Reiko, creator of many hit anime, Utopi-AI offers a bold vision of the future. August 21 Sun. Ep.1 August 28 Sun. Ep.2 Subtitled 0:10/12:10 Dubbed 6:10/18:10 (UTC)
Artists Against War Morimura Yasumasa, a contemporary artist who has drawn praise in Japan and abroad, is known for self-portraits in which he poses as well-known figures from history and paintings. In this episode of Artists Against War, we take a look at Morimura’s reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Will he use Putin as a starting point for a future work? Join us as we hear his incisive views on how artists should respond to recent events. August 3 Wed. 1:30/6:30/12:30/17:30/22:30 (UTC)
Daily Life in Times of War What was life like during World War II? What can we learn from the survivors? Through interviews, animation and games, young people are trying to preserve their stories for future generations. August 6 Sat. 0:10/6:10/12:10/18:10 (UTC)
Sharing the Future Creating the future together. Inspiring stories of projects by Japanese people working with communities in developing countries with new ideas and efforts to help solve issues. August 3 Wed. 2:30/7:30/13:30/19:30 (UTC)

[Source: NHK WORLD press release]

DW Russian marks 60th anniversary

1 August 2022

DW Russian marks 60th anniversary

From radio jamming to partnerships and back again

As DW’s Russian service celebrates its 60th anniversary, its news offer remains blocked in Russia. First introduced during the Cold War, Russia’s renewed attempt at censorship has so far failed.

February and March 2022 saw Moscow bureau shuttered, staff accreditations annulled, website blocked and DW declared a “foreign agent”: the 60th anniversary of DW’s Russian Service marks the return to the Cold War era. “Without our studio in Moscow work has become more difficult for us. There’ s no way to sugarcoat it either. But we have found a way to continue to provide our audiences in Russia with authentic information from and about their country,” says Christian F. Trippe, Director of Programs for Russia, Ukraine and Eastern Europe (pictured).

In response to censorship, the team relocated to Riga, under the direction of Juri Rescheto, and reinforced DW’s Russian-language content, recently offering two new podcasts, DW Novosti Show and Geofaktor. Both multiplatform broadcasts are available online and on medium-wave frequencies (MW). In a way, DW’s Russian Service is back to its roots, having set up its first radio broadcast in August 1962 and its last in 2011.

From the Cuban missile crisis to the war in Ukraine

Operating amid rising East-West tensions is not new to the journalists of “Nemezkaja wolna” (Deutsche Welle), as DW has been known in Russian for decades.

A year into the construction of the Berlin Wall and shortly before the Cuban missile crisis in the fall of 1962, the then Cologne-based DW produced its first broadcasts in Russian. The recent turning point in relations between Russia and the West, caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, is sometimes compared to the Cuban missile crisis.

DW Russian editorial team pictured in 1978

Soviet emigrants worked in the Russian service, reporting to listeners across the Soviet Union on life in the Federal Republic of Germany and the German view of current affairs. In 1974, DW was the first Western radio station to broadcast chapter after chapter of Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s “The Gulag Archipelago,” a three-volume book banned in the USSR.

“Not emigrants, but bridge builders”

DW’s Russian Service as well as other western broadcasters were varyingly jammed in the Soviet Union. The jamming of the signal, which were used until the late 1980s, was never totally effective and could often be circumvented by changing the frequencies.

After the collapse of the USSR, new staff joined DW. Radio programming became broader, more compact and dynamic, and the advent of the Internet offered audiences a fuller multimedia online content. In post-Soviet Russia and other republics, distribution partnerships were gradually established with regional FM networks.

“I have fond memories working at the Welle in the ’90s. The newsroom was changing rapidly: reading before a microphone gave way to live reports and live broadcasts, with the fresh arrival of relatively young journalists from the new Russia,” says economist Andrey Gurkov, one of the “veterans” of the newsroom. “We didn’t think of ourselves as emigrants; rather, we saw ourselves as bridge-builders, contributing to the rapprochement between Russia, the post-Soviet region, and Europe, the West, through in-depth reporting on the epochal scale of change in politics that was underway.”

“Exemplary editorial response to major journalistic situations”

With the onset of the Russian war on Ukraine, the bridges that DW staff tried to build collapsed, Gurkov said. His colleague Anastasia Arinushkina, who joined the service in 2017, says, “In Germany, we are safe: no one will come to my house at six in the morning with a search warrant. They won’t throw me in jail either, just because I refer to the war against Ukraine as war and not as a ‘special military operation,’ as they have to do in Russia.” The journalist sees this as a special responsibility: “Since we are in such a privileged position and can work according to journalistic standards, we have to do this even better and more thoroughly,” she adds.

Christian Trippe: “Blocking our website in Russia has not resulted in a loss of reach. Quite the opposite: we have gained more users on all our Russian-language platforms. In short, the attempt to silence us has not been successful. This technical censorship doesn’t work in Russia any more than it does in other unfree countries.”

The viewing records has shown that from January to June 2022, DW Russian’s online output has reached roughly 125 million monthly multiplatform users in Russia (having beaten the 49 million monthly record set in the previous six months) – an uptick of more than 250 percent. On Facebook alone, DW Russian reached more than 34 million monthly video views in the first half of 2022, mainly by users in Ukraine. On YouTube, according to MAI, there were roughly 48 million monthly views, with the largest share coming from Russia.

Given the balance of six months of work since the start of the war, Trippe is optimistic: “In my eyes, it is exemplary how quickly and competently the entire editorial team for online, video and social media is able to react to major journalistic situations and expand the program offerings on the spot. We have demonstrated that most recently on February 24.” His core message on the 60th anniversary of the DW Russian: “If a new curtain, this time in terms of media and not iron, were to seal off Russia from the rest of the continent, we know how to breach it: with unbiased information.”

France 24’s Sarah Morris named “best foreign correspondent in Spain”

25 July 2022

France 24’s Sarah Morris named “best foreign correspondent in Spain”

France 24’s correspondent Sarah Morris has been named “best foreign correspondent in Spain” by the International Press Club (Club Internacional de Prensa) for the quality and depth of her coverage of the latest news in the country. The award ceremony will take place on September 22^nd in Madrid.

Each year, the International Press Club (Club Internacional de Prensa) of Spain, chaired by Javier Fernandez Arribas, rewards the work of Spanish journalists and correspondents.

[Source: FMM press release]

Afrimaxx Premiere \| August 5 DW is set to roll out the new format “Afrimaxx” on August 5. An African adaptation of the popular DW lifestyle magazine “Euromaxx”, the format promises an eclectic line-up of episodes featuring the continent’s most-inspiring and character-driven creatives from the world of fashion and design through to architecture, art, food and travel. With South African host Ayanda Thabethe keeping a keen eye on current trends, the show follows updates on everything game-changing in Africa and charts the hotspots and latest arrivistes on Africa’s lifestyle scene, from under-the-radar start-ups to well-known brand names. Released every Friday.
Mahatma Gandhi’s Legacy – Where Is India Headed? Premiere \| August 6 Ahead of India’s 75th year of independence, DW presents a two-parter that explores Gandhi’s special brand of non-violent resistance that paved the way for India’s independence from British colonial rule in 1947. The documentary reveals more about the religious pluralism espoused by Gandhi that shifted power dynamics in the country, and how fast forward to today, the political narrative moves tentatively towards an India fuelled by Hindu nationalism. What lessons can be drawn from Gandhi’s legacy that could help reshape modern-day India? Stay tuned.
Kick off! DW Magazine \| August 9 August is a big month for the Bundesliga fans, as the 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign kicks off August 5 and clubs across Germany begin their pre-season preparations. DW’s magazine “Kick off!” has the low-down on the latest outgoing and new-coming stars and returnees. It also features what’s in store for this year’s Berlin derby and why this special Bundesliga fixture goes deeper than a footballing rivalry.
Thirst – When the Wells Run Dry Documentary \| August 10, 17, 24 For fans of everything life-science related, here’s a documentary that presents an ominous follow-up to the July news of Europe’s heatwave and Italy’s drought-hit Po River. “Thirst” is a timely documentary that tackles one of the hottest political and scientific topics: the prospect of drought and water scarcity as climate changes. The three-parter packs a powerful punch: the world is on track to blaze, the planet is going to run out of water, and we need to act on climate change. The glimmer of good news is luckily delivered on the third subtitle, exploring “The Last Resources”. Out on Wednesdays starting August 10.
A Mediterranean Journey Premiere \| Aug 14, 21, 28 Sineb El Masrar and Jaafar Abdul Karim pack their bags for DW’s latest TV jaunt “A Mediterranean Journey”. Visiting Middle Eastern countries which have recently witnessed major geopolitical shifts, the duo kick off their travels in the bustling capital, Beirut, exploring the city by bike before ending the first leg of their trip and traveling solo to separate destinations. Sineb embarks on a thrilling road trip across Israel for the first time, getting a glimpse into the world of this multi-faith and multicultural society. Jaafar visits Egypt and crosses the Suez Canal by boat, delving into the history of the site. Two years in the making, our August offering journeys to three out of ten countries everyone’s talking about. You won’t want to miss on these TV moments. Catch on-demand starting August 14.