Association of Iranian Journalists
A professional association established in Iran to defend journalists’ legal, employment, and professional rights.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Association of Iranian Journalists is a professional organization in Iran representing journalists and advocating for their legal and occupational rights. Established in 1997 during the presidency of reformist Mohammad Khatami, it emerged as part of a broader expansion of civil and professional associations in Iranian public life. Its stated purpose was to protect journalists’ professional interests, support their legal rights, and provide a collective forum for addressing issues affecting the press and journalism sector. The association grew into one of Iran’s principal journalist organizations. By 2008, it reportedly had approximately 4,000 members. It was also a full member of the International Federation of Journalists, giving it an international professional affiliation and a connection to global press-freedom networks. The organization’s activities placed it at the intersection of labor representation, professional standards, and freedom-of-expression advocacy. Relations with the government deteriorated during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s presidency. In August 2006, pro-government journalists reportedly attempted, without success, to take control of the association. In June 2008, Labor Minister Mohammad Jahromi sent a letter threatening to dissolve the organization and characterizing it as illegal. International press-freedom groups interpreted the pressure as part of a wider effort to restrict independent civil-society organizations and silence advocates for free expression. The association became more directly exposed to state pressure following the disputed June 2009 presidential election. Journalists associated with the organization were arrested during the ensuing protests, including association head Ali Mazroui on June 20, 2009, and founding member Issa Saharkhiz on July 3, 2009. On August 5, 2009, security forces raided and closed the association’s premises. The International Federation of Journalists condemned the shutdown as part of an intimidation campaign against Iranian media workers. The organization’s possible revival became a subject of public discussion after Hassan Rouhani was elected president in 2013. At his first press conference as president-elect, Rouhani said that the association and other professional bodies should be legally revived. His position reflected a promise to reopen civic and trade organizations that had been closed under the preceding administration. However, judiciary spokesman Gholam-Hossein Ejei stated in October 2013 that the association would remain closed. The available reference material does not establish that the organization subsequently resumed normal operations, so its present operational status remains uncertain.
History
The Association of Iranian Journalists was created in 1997, at the beginning of Mohammad Khatami’s presidency. Its formation corresponded with a period in which reformist politics and civil-society institutions gained greater visibility in Iran. The association was organized as a professional body for journalists, with a mandate to defend their legal and professional rights and to represent shared employment and workplace concerns. During its first decade, the association developed into a significant national organization for Iranian media workers. It reportedly counted about 4,000 members in 2008 and became a full member of the International Federation of Journalists. That affiliation connected the Iranian body with an international federation representing journalists and enabled international organizations to monitor and comment on pressure against its members. The association’s relationship with state authorities worsened after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad became president. In August 2006, pro-government journalists reportedly made an unsuccessful attempt to take control of the organization. The episode illustrated the political importance of the association and the pressure placed on independent professional institutions. On June 24, 2008, Labor Minister Mohammad Jahromi sent a letter threatening to dissolve the organization and calling it illegal. Reporters Without Borders described the move as another attempt by Iranian authorities to silence groups defending freedom of expression. The disputed June 2009 presidential election intensified the pressure. Demonstrations followed the announced result, and authorities arrested several journalists affiliated with the association. Ali Mazroui, identified in the available material as the association’s head, was arrested on June 20. Issa Saharkhiz, a founding member, was arrested on July 3. These arrests occurred in the context of a larger campaign against journalists and civil-society activists connected with the post-election protest movement. On August 5, 2009, security forces raided the association and shut it down. The International Federation of Journalists condemned the closure, describing it as part of a campaign intended to intimidate the media and warning against making journalists scapegoats for political conflict. The closure removed a formal professional platform through which Iranian journalists could pursue collective legal and occupational concerns. After Hassan Rouhani’s election in 2013, the association’s future was raised publicly. At his first press conference as president-elect on June 17, Rouhani expressed support for legally reviving the Association of Iranian Journalists and other professional associations. He presented such organizations as useful mechanisms for managing social and professional issues. The pledge did not immediately lead to reopening. In October 2013, judiciary spokesman Gholam-Hossein Ejei said that the association would remain closed. The available sources do not provide enough information to determine whether the association later resumed regular activities, whether it was formally dissolved, or whether it continued in a restricted or dormant form.
- 2013
Proposed revival remains unrealized
[1]President-elect Hassan Rouhani supported legally reviving the association, but the judiciary later stated that it would remain closed.
- 2009
Association closed after security raid
[1]Following arrests of affiliated journalists after the disputed presidential election, security forces raided and closed the association on August 5.
- 2008
Membership reaches approximately 4,000
[1]The association was reported to have around 4,000 members and faced a government threat to dissolve it.
- 2006
Attempted takeover by pro-government journalists
[1]Pro-government journalists reportedly attempted to take control of the organization, but the effort was unsuccessful.
- 1997
Association established
[1]The Association of Iranian Journalists was created during the first year of Mohammad Khatami’s presidency to represent and protect Iranian journalists’ legal and professional interests.
Products and positioning
A professional and labor-oriented association representing Iranian journalists, with an additional public role in defending press freedom and freedom of expression.
Controversies
2013
Failure to reopen despite presidential pledge
Although Hassan Rouhani publicly supported the association’s legal revival, the judiciary stated that it would remain closed.
2009
Closure following post-election crackdown
The organization was raided and closed by security forces after journalists associated with it were arrested during the government response to protests following Iran’s disputed 2009 presidential election.
Brand decisions
2013
Presidential support for legal revivalStrategyBackground
The association’s reopening was discussed after Hassan Rouhani was elected president, following its closure under the previous administration.
Action taken
Rouhani said he would work to revive the association and other professional bodies legally.
Aftermath
The pledge was opposed or not implemented by the judiciary, whose spokesman said the association would remain closed.
2009
Government closes the associationOtherBackground
The closure followed increasing conflict between the association and the Ahmadinejad administration, as well as arrests of journalists linked to the organization after the disputed presidential election.
Action taken
Security forces raided the organization and ended its operations on August 5, 2009.
Aftermath
The International Federation of Journalists condemned the action, and the association remained closed according to a judiciary statement in 2013.
Sources1 sources
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