Journalists at BBC Persian says they are scared to go out alone as UK counter-terrorism police raise security levels and staff warned: ‘we can do whatever we want in London’

In one message, an Iranian-British journalist working for the BBC says she was told: “On Westminster Bridge is a very deep river. It doesn’t matter that you don’t live in Iran – we can also do whatever we want in London.”

In October 2022, the Iranian foreign affairs ministry named BBC Persian in a list of organisations and people sanctioned for “deliberate actions in support of terrorism, incitement of violence, and human rights abuses”.

The scale of intimidation faced by BBC staff in London has given an insight into how the Iranian regime’s use of violence and blackmail extends to the UK.

  • Chariotwheel
    23•1 year ago

    BBC is not having a lot of fun now. I appreciate they want to stay neutral and objective while both sides see this as an offense and spit toxicity at them. I hope the BBC can prevail in this and stay safe.

  • @variaatio@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    14•1 year ago

    Threatening BBC in London seems like a really stupid idea. They will just call MI5 and the Metropolitan police. I would think British government takes dim view on a foreign government trying to pressure BBC in London.

    P.S. You see that is the British government’s job, stay out of their turf. :)

    • @gmtom@lemmy.worldEnglish
      26•1 year ago

      Yeah remember when the Russians poisoned a Russian living in London with polonium tea and in return our government did… uh something? Maybe a strongly worded letter or some sanctions or something?

      Oh or how about when Russians assassinated someone with a nerve agent in Salisbury and ended up killing some British civilians too? We didn’t let that stand at all because the government decided too… uhm, I think we arrested the bloke who did it? Maybe?

      So yeah if I was Iran I would quaking in my boots.

  • @tal@lemmy.todayEnglish
    11•1 year ago

    It doesn’t matter that you don’t live in Iran – we can also do whatever we want in London

    I mean, sure. Iran can probably assassinate BBC staff in London. One can do a lot with first-mover advantage. Russia could probably have Biden killed if it wanted to, personal security or no.

    It’s just that what’s going to happen afterwards to the assassinating country makes the action not likely worthwhile. Like, if you have surprise available to you, is what you want to expend it on really assassinating BBC staff?

      • @dingleberry@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
        13•1 year ago

        Russia killed a former Russian in UK. Kim Jong had his cousin killed in Japan (?) as well. Just weeks back India killed a Canadian. Don’t know why people think their lives matter more than two countries “relations”.

    • Hyperreality
      5•1 year ago

      Also, what do you gain by assassinating a BBC journalist?

      They’ll be replaced and at the very least the PR fallout will be negative.

      • Chaotic EntropyEnglish
        3•1 year ago

        The journalist will still be dead… and the next journalist may not want to join them.

  • AutoTL;DRBEnglish
    6•1 year ago

    This is the best summary I could come up with:

    In October 2022, the Iranian foreign affairs ministry named BBC Persian in a list of organisations and people sanctioned for “deliberate actions in support of terrorism, incitement of violence, and human rights abuses”.

    BBC staff have told the Guardian of living in “constant fear” similar to being in a war zone, and needing support from therapists and specialists in PTSD.

    “When we do our job well, as journalists working within BBC editorial guidelines – trying to be accurate, fair and balanced storytellers – then our family members in Iran may pay the price for that.”

    The BBC Persian journalist Soran Qurbani says: “I’ve never censored myself or done something in the Iranian government’s favour, but when they beat my brother in jail just because of my work, I feel responsible somehow.

    A total of 79 journalists have been arrested in Iran itself since the national protests after the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini detained for allegedly wearing the Islamic headscarf incorrectly in September 2023.

    Rozita Lotfi, the head of BBC Persian, told the Guardian: “Iran is a very restricted country regarding access for journalists, and we rely quite a lot on social media for newsgathering.

    The original article contains 1,074 words, the summary contains 197 words. Saved 82%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!