The Iranian authorities have closed down the main journalists society, the Association of Iranian Journalists within hours of the swearing-in of President Ahmadinejad. The move has been condemned by international press groups who fear this may be the start of a major crackdown on freedom of the press in the Islamic republic.

Armed security officials stormed the Tehran offices of the Association of Iranian Journalists (AIJ) late on Wednesday, according to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). Critics claim it is the latest in a series of measures aimed at stifling freedom of the press in the wake of Iran’s controversial presidential election last June. Incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won a landslide victory, even trouncing his rivals in their respective home districts. The lopsided victory led his main rival, Mir Hossein Mousavi, to accuse the president of electoral fraud.

The International Federation of Journalists, first established in 1926, is the world’s largest organisation of journalist, with over 600,000 members worldwide. The IJF works to defend press freedom by promoting free and independent trade unions for journalists. IJF Communications and Human Rights Manager Ernest Sagaga says the situation for independent journalists in Iran is dire:

“What we see is clear intimidation of journalists, basically trying to suppress any independent reporting of what is happening in Iran… and this must be stopped.”

And Mr Sagaga urged to individuals who want to help stop the persecution of journalists in Iran to take action:

“The public in the West, could play a role in this by actually engaging with their governments to really put pressure on the Iranian government…”
 

Listen to interview with Ernest Sagaga of IFJ