Iranian TV Anchor Quits After 'Lying' For Regime For 13 Years
An anchor with Iran’s state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) quit today over the “lies” told during the recent Iranian air-strikes. A Boeing 737-800 Ukrainian Airlines passenger aircraft had been shot down in an air-strike in Tehran last week.
While resigning, IRIB anchor Gellare Jabbari said, “It was very hard for me to believe that our people have been killed. Forgive me that I got to know this late. And forgive me for the 13 years I told you lies.”
News presenter Zahra Khatami also left her job with IRIB and said, “I will never get back to TV.” Iran has maintained a firm grip over all its media outlets, due to which journalists have not been able to cover Iranian air-strikes. The reason for journalists suddenly making critical statements is the initial refusal by the Iranian regime that it was Iran’s own defence forces which had mistakenly shot down the Ukrainian passenger plane. Given the growing public anger, Iranian news agencies, which were previously sycophantic towards the Iranian regime, have also started showing street protests by people in large numbers now. They have also fired questions at the government for hiding information about air-strikes. Iran is ranked 170th in the World Press Freedom Index of 180 nations. The Iranian Journalists’ Union said, “All media outlets raised objections at the situation but the state broadcaster of the Islamic Republic of Iran supported it. This makes it clear that people do not trust government statistics and (now) journalists will have to display the courage to stand with the truth.” U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the decision of the Iranian government to cut off communications with the outside world and demanded that “internet be restored”.
News presenter Zahra Khatami also left her job with IRIB and said, “I will never get back to TV.” Iran has maintained a firm grip over all its media outlets, due to which journalists have not been able to cover Iranian air-strikes. The reason for journalists suddenly making critical statements is the initial refusal by the Iranian regime that it was Iran’s own defence forces which had mistakenly shot down the Ukrainian passenger plane. Given the growing public anger, Iranian news agencies, which were previously sycophantic towards the Iranian regime, have also started showing street protests by people in large numbers now. They have also fired questions at the government for hiding information about air-strikes. Iran is ranked 170th in the World Press Freedom Index of 180 nations. The Iranian Journalists’ Union said, “All media outlets raised objections at the situation but the state broadcaster of the Islamic Republic of Iran supported it. This makes it clear that people do not trust government statistics and (now) journalists will have to display the courage to stand with the truth.” U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the decision of the Iranian government to cut off communications with the outside world and demanded that “internet be restored”.
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