Prime Minister Rishi Sunak honored Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi and journalist Pouria Zeraati during the Society of Editors 25th Anniversary Conference in London, UK. Sunak paid tribute to those who are imprisoned for advocating for freedom and democracy, emphasizing the importance of supporting those who are suffering behind bars for their beliefs.
Mohammadi is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence in Iran and faces harsh punishment, including 154 lashes, two years of exile, and other restrictions. Despite her imprisonment, Mohammadi continues to speak out against human rights abuses and the oppressive mandatory hijab law in Iran. Sunak also addressed the recent attack on journalist Pouria Zeraati, who was stabbed outside his London home last month, following threats from Iranian intelligence aimed at journalists at Iran International.
The Prime Minister highlighted the crucial role of the media in upholding democracy by holding governments accountable, exposing corruption, and amplifying marginalized voices. The conference brought together editors, academics, lawyers, and journalists to discuss the challenges facing the journalism industry today. Sunak’s comments shed light on the deteriorating press freedom in Iran, with over 70 journalists arrested since the 2022 uprising, including those who reported on the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, sparking widespread protests in Iran.
Sunak called upon governments around the world to take action to protect journalists who are under threat or facing persecution. He urged attendees at the conference to continue fighting for press freedom and holding governments accountable for their actions.
“As a society we must stand up against any form of censorship or repression,” said Sunak. “We must be vigilant in protecting our journalists from harm and ensuring that they have the freedom to report on important issues without fear.”
The conference also featured keynote speeches from leading journalists and editors on topics such as media ethics, technology’s impact on journalism