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Al-Ahram Weekly
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
From Gaza to Tehran, why journalists are frontline targets in the Middle East - Region
As missiles rain down and cameras go dark, a new front in modern warfare has emerged: the systematic targeting of journalists. From Tehran to Gaza, media workers are being bombed, shot, and silenced—not for what they've done, but for what they dare to show. On 16 June, broadcaster Sahar Emami was halfway through her evening bulletin when the building shook. The missile struck like thunder. The lights blew out. Smoke filled the room. Somewhere down the corridor, someone screamed. An Israeli airstrike had just hit the compound of Iran's state broadcaster, IRIB, in Tehran. Emami paused only briefly, running for cover as the shockwaves intensified. She returned to her chair moments later—composed, defiant—and resumed the live broadcast. File Photo: A snapshot of Broadcaster Sahar Emami after an Israeli strike hit the building. The attack killed producer Masoumeh Azimi and news editor Nima Rajabpour. Many others were wounded. "This was part of a plan to destroy 'the regime's symbols,'" American-Iranian journalist, formerly based in Beirut, Séamus Malekafzali told Ahram Online. "If they can stop IRIB from broadcasting and kill its reporters, they can prevent the state from informing people about what is happening in their own country." "It has a chilling effect on going back to work and on associating oneself with its reporters," he added. The strike on IRIB was part of a growing Israeli strategy of targeting "hostile" media infrastructure. Iran responded with missiles aimed at Israel's Channel 14 and Channel 12. The strike caused structural damage but no casualties. Iran's government labelled Channel 14 a "terror network" tied to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition. Israel condemned the attack as a strike against civilian media. But in Tehran, the questions had already shifted. "We heard the bombs around us, our windows shook, and we kept working," wrote Iranian journalist Ruhollah Nakhaee to Ahram Online. "Some of us had to move our families out of Tehran and return to work alone." "They [the West] brushed off IRIB being hit because it's state TV," he said. "The BBC is state TV. The VOA is state TV. Would anyone react the same if they were targeted? I'm very aware that if any of our offices are hit, no one will ask why. And even if they do, it won't matter." The language of international law offers no protection, he adds. "After all Israel has done with blanket support from the West, terms like 'international law' mean nothing here. They never did." Cross-border attacks and the information war File Photo: Reuters video journalist Issam Abdallah. Photo courtesy of social media. The strike on IRIB reflects a growing pattern of Israeli attacks on journalists in the region. On 13 October 2023, the Israeli army opened tank fire on seven reporters clearly marked as press while filming on a hillside near Alma Al-Shaab, southern Lebanon. Reuters video journalist Issam Abdallah was killed. AFP photojournalist Christina Assi lost her leg. Five others were injured. Investigations by AFP, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the United Nations all concluded the strike was deliberate. "Despite extensive evidence of a war crime … Israel has faced zero accountability," said Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) President Jodie Ginsberg in a 2024 report. "All over Palestine and in southern Lebanon, the primary aim of assassinating all these journalists has been to prevent the dissemination of what is happening on these fronts to the rest of the world," Malekafzali said. "They attack reporters no matter what network they're from … as long as they are focused on exposing Israeli atrocities." Reporting from the front lines in Gaza and the West Bank File Photo: A Palestinian woman holds the body of her son, killed in an Israeli strike. Photo courtesy of Salma Al-Qaddoumi's Instagram. By the second month of the ongoing genocide, Gaza had already become the world's most dangerous environment for journalists. On a blistering August morning, journalists Ibrahim Muhareb, Salma Al-Qaddoumi, Ezzedine Muasher, Rasha Ahmed, and Saeed Al-Lulu were documenting displacement in Gaza's Hamad City when an Israeli tank opened fire. Muhareb was shot in the leg. Al-Qaddoumi and her friend Mahmoud rushed to carry him to safety. "But snipers opened fire on us. Ibrahim [Muhareb] was killed. Mahmoud was wounded. I was shot in the back—the bullet exited near my heart. I was clearly marked as press. I wore my vest. And yet, they aimed at us deliberately," Al-Qaddoumi told Ahram Online. Since October 2023, at least 226 journalists have been killed, 430 injured, 48 detained, and 119 media offices or institutions destroyed in Palestine—mostly in Gaza—according to the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS). The PJS also reported that the number of journalists killed represents nearly 20 percent of all Palestinian journalists. "For over twenty months, we've tried to deliver Gaza's image to the world," says Al-Qaddoumi. "But we are exhausted—physically, emotionally, spiritually. We are weary of capturing massacres, of photographing shredded bodies." "Gaza needed its story told. The displacement was relentless, the bombing spared no neighbourhood, and there simply weren't enough journalists to document every massacre," she explained. Al-Qaddoumi was nearly killed doing just that. File Photo: A woman holding her children's hands, with several Israeli Army vehicles behind her in Jenin, the occupied West Bank. Photo courtesy of Obada Tahayna's Instagram . In the northern West Bank, Obada Tahayna, Jenin-based correspondent for Al Jazeera and Free Palestine TV, faces the same threat. "In Jenin, being a journalist is extremely hazardous. Every day could be my last," Tahayna told Ahram Online. Since 21 January, Israel has carried out its most expansive military operation in the West Bank since 2002. "The vest no longer offers protection," Tahayna says. "It's a target. The occupation forces recognise it. That makes you a target for attack, pursuit, and detention." He has been beaten, detained, and had his phone confiscated—but persists. "If we fall silent, it would be as if nothing ever occurred." Media coverage of the West Bank was severely curtailed after Israel closed the Al Jazeera media office in Ramallah last September. When did journalists become targets of war? The deliberate targeting of media workers has become increasingly systematic. In 2001, the United States bombed Al Jazeera's Kabul office during its invasion of Afghanistan. In 2003, it struck the network's Baghdad bureau, killing Palestinian correspondent Tareq Ayyoub. Both incidents were never meaningfully investigated. In 2007, leaked US military footage—later published by WikiLeaks as "Collateral Murder"—showed a helicopter crew killing civilians, including two Reuters journalists in Iraq, laughing as they opened fire. In asymmetric conflicts, especially in the digital age, narrative warfare is as decisive as territory. "The Israeli narrative spreads rapidly and is presented as the sole truth," Tahayna says. The journalist thus becomes not just an observer but a counter-narrator. "The Palestinian journalist does not merely transmit news. He is part of the event itself—threatened, under pressure, yet resolute. Perhaps the world doesn't realise how much we risk so people may see—not for personal gain." Today, journalists are increasingly seen as affiliates, particularly those working for national broadcasters, local agencies, or partisan outlets. Their presence challenges the monopoly of official narratives, and their footage often outpaces state messaging. The limits of international protection Despite protections under international humanitarian law, its application remains inconsistent. The 2002 killing of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl sparked global outrage and immediate diplomatic pressure. The US government launched high-level investigations, resulting in arrests and convictions. File Photo: Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. AFP By contrast, the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh in 2022—filmed, verified, and acknowledged even by Western allies—has led only to prolonged inquiries, tepid statements, and no justice. Journalists from the Global South are often seen not as independent professionals but as extensions of their geographic or political contexts. Groups such as Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and CPJ continue to track deaths, demand inquiries, and issue press freedom alerts. However, much of their work yields only expressions of solidarity, rather than justice. Malekafzali summed it up: "Reporters can be maimed, killed, obliterated … but they will always be fundamentally untrustworthy to the West unless they've been granted access to its vaulted institutions." "The Israeli victims are foregrounded," he stressed. "We know many of their names by now, even if we don't live there. But we rarely know about the Palestinians, Lebanese, and now Iranians killed by the Israeli army—except as numbers in the death toll." "We will not be silenced" Despite the risks, journalists continue working—not because they are safe, but because the world needs their voices. "If I could capture just one photo that carries my voice to the world," Al-Qaddoumi says, "I would want it to show Gaza's beauty—the children, the youth, the women. Gaza is full of talent, creativity, brilliance. And yet many of those vibrant young people are now amputees—or martyrs. Why? For what crime?" "To me, photography is an act of resistance. It is documentation. It is a message of steadfastness. We are here, on the ground. And we will not be silenced," she concludes. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Iranian Anchor Who Braved Israeli Strike On Live TV Turns Hero; Khamenei Dubs Her 'Voice Of Nation'
An Iranian television news anchor who braved an Israeli attack on her TV station during the 12-day conflict has become a national hero. Sahar Emami was reading a live news bulletin when her television station was attacked by Israel on June 16. Videos on social media showed her hurrying off air after sound of explosion interrupted her broadcast. However, she returned and continued presenting the news after the attacks. Her courage led to her receiving global acclaim, and Venezuela conferred its top journalistic award to the Iranian anchor. Read More
Irish Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Bombed live on air, now a hero: state TV anchor becomes a symbol of resistance in Iran
Iranian state TV anchor Sahar Emami was delivering a live broadcast in Tehran this week when she was interrupted by loud booms. Shocked viewers – who have been closely following state media for news of the war between Israel and Iran – saw the room fill with smoke, dust and debris. 'The sound you just heard is the sound of the aggressor attacking our homeland, the sound of the aggressor seeking to stifle rightfulness and truth,' said Emami, wagging her index finger as the cameras kept rolling. 'What you just witnessed ... this smoke-filled studio of the news network,' she went on, before being forced to abandon her seat as a second explosion rocked the building. READ MORE Government figures and state media quickly seized on Emami's determination to keep broadcasting, making her an instant symbol of resistance dubbed the 'Iranian lioness'. [ Israelis under attack from Iran shift to full war mode Opens in new window ] Minutes after the second blast, Emami reappeared live from another studio, even as videos posted online showed fire and smoke rising from the glass headquarters of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting group. Within hours, her image was plastered across social media and featured in a large mural in the Iranian capital. President Masoud Pezeshkian called her a 'symbol of resilience, steadfastness and unyielding spirit'. Fatemeh Mohajerani, government spokesperson, likened the 'brave-hearted daughter of Iran' with Gordafarid, a legendary Persian heroine and one of the first female Iranian warriors, as depicted in Shahnameh, a 1,000-year-old epic poem by the Persian writer Ferdowsi. Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said: 'Last night, in the midst of the Zionist regime's savage attack ... a courageous Iranian woman stood before the camera – fearless, steadfast and filled with love for [her] homeland.' According to the IRNA news agency, he added: 'She was the voice of Iran.' Less than 24 hours after the strike, a mural was unveiled in Vali-e Asr square in downtown Tehran, according to state media, depicting Emami on air with her index finger raised, clad in the black chador worn by conservative women in Iran. The mural used a verse from Ferdowsi about 'a maiden in the battlefield', another reference to Gordafarid. The references to pre-Islamic literature, which has often been sidelined by the Islamic republic, were seen as an attempt to inspire nationalistic sentiments. Mohajerani proposed that a courage in journalism award should be named after Emami. Sporting stars joined the rush to praise her, with karate athlete Amir Mehdizadeh and sport shooter Javad Foroughi dedicating their gold medals from international competitions to the broadcaster. Emami (40), who has a degree in agricultural engineering, joined IRIB in 2008 and became known for the current affairs show Pishkhan Khabar. The conservative broadcasting group has faced criticism from reformist politicians and many Iranians for serving as a mouthpiece for the autocratic state, which itself stifles freedom of expression. It is seen as highly selective in its coverage of international and domestic developments, such as protests that followed the death in 2022 of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who had been arrested by Iran's notorious morality police. But even some Iranians critical of the regime said they were inspired by Emami's example. Mansoureh (45), a reform-minded critic of the Islamic republic in Tehran, said: 'When I saw that woman on TV, I felt so ashamed of myself. What am I scared of? I told myself that I will have to remain where I am and defend my city.' Others remained sceptical, however. 'To me, it looked more like a performance. There had been an evacuation order and she seemed mentally prepared,' said Sara (58), a nurse, also in the capital. 'She knew that if she could hold her composure for a few moments on live television, she would be hailed as a heroine ... And the Islamic republic is using that to serve its own propaganda purposes.' Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu has called on Iranians to 'stand up for your freedom' against the regime of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei since Israel launched its large-scale offensive against Iranian targets on Friday, prompting Iran to return missile and drone fire. But there is so far little sign of the war sparking anti-government protests, despite sporadic large-scale demonstrations in recent years. On Tuesday, IRIB released a video showing the damage to the building, including the fourth floor – the location of the newsroom and the live studio where Emami was presenting at the time of the assault. State television showed images of the building on fire again, saying wind had reignited embers from Monday's strike. Israel attacked the building about an hour after issuing an evacuation order for Tehran's district 3, where the IRIB headquarters is located, along with the police headquarters and three hospitals. Three people were confirmed killed in the strike, including Nima Rajabpour, news producer, and Masoumeh Azimi, a member of the office staff. The Committee to Protect Journalists said it was 'appalled' by the attack on state television. Emami told viewers the attack had 'targeted freedom of speech, the truth, and the voices of women, men and children who were martyred in recent days'. - Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2025
Hans India
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Anchor runs off camera as Israeli airstrikes hit Iranian state TV
Tehran: Dust and debris filled an Iranian state television studio and an anchor rushed off camera Monday when an Israeli strike hit during a live broadcast, an hour after Israel issued a warning for the area of Tehran where the station is located. Sahar Emami, an anchor at the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network, was seen hurrying off-camera as the screen behind her cut out. People on set were heard saying 'Allahu akbar," the Arabic phrase for God is great. The broadcast quickly switched to pre-recorded programs. Soon, Emami came back live from another studio and was seen speaking with another anchor. Images showed smoke and flames in the sky. The station later said that the building was hit by four bombs. Israel's defense minister took immediate credit for the attack. 'The Iranian regime's propaganda and incitement broadcasting authority was attacked by the IDF after a widespread evacuation of the area's residents,' Israel Katz said in a statement. 'We will strike the Iranian dictator everywhere.' Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesman for the Iranian foreign minister, condemned the strike, calling on the international community to demand justice from Israel for its attack on the media. 'The world is watching: targeting Iran's news agency #IRIB's office during live broadcast is a wicked act of war crime,' Baqaei wrote on X. Videos circulating on social media show that the IRINN building, known as 'the glass building,' is still burning. There has been no official report on casualties from the incident. An anchor said on air that a few colleagues had been injured, but that their families should not be worried. The network said its live programs have now been transferred to another studio, which resembles that of radio studios. An hour earlier, the Israeli military had issued an evacuation warning affecting up to 330,000 people in a part of central Tehran that includes the country's state TV and police headquarters, as well as three large hospitals. The IDF has issued similar evacuation warnings for civilians in parts of Gaza and Lebanon ahead of strikes.
The Sun
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Iran celebrates state TV presenter after Israeli attack
TEHRAN: Facing the camera with a defiant gaze, her index finger raised in the air, Iranian TV presenter Sahar Emami became an icon in her country after an Israeli attack on the state broadcaster. 'What you can see is the flagrant aggression of the Zionist regime against the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iranian broadcaster,' she said on air Monday as several explosions were heard in the background. 'What you just heard was the sound of an aggressor against the motherland, the sound of an aggressor against truth,' added Emami, who is known for her impactful interviews with government officials. 'This dust you see in the studio...' she began, her finger raised, before being interrupted by the sound of yet another blast. The journalist, clad in a black chador, rushed out of her seat and disappeared from view. The destruction in the studio, which quickly filled with smoke and dust, was broadcast live before the transmission was cut. Emami, who Iranian media say is in her 40s, is a familiar face to viewers in the Islamic republic after some 15 years on air with state television. She resumed the broadcast just a few minutes after the attack, as if nothing unusual had happened. The broadcaster's headquarters in the capital Tehran with its recognisable glass exterior was badly damaged in the fire that broke out as a result of the Israeli attack. Official media shared images of charred offices and studios no longer usable. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday denounced Israel's 'cowardice' in striking the state television building, in an attack that the broadcaster said killed three people. 'The attack against the Iranian broadcaster demonstrates the Israelis' desperation,' Araghchi said. Conservative newspaper Farhikhtegan said on its front page on Tuesday: 'Female journalist's resistance until the last moment sends a clear message.' Ultraconservative publication Kayhan said: 'The courage of the lioness presenter surprised friends and foes.' The government put up a banner in Tehran's central Vali-Asr Square honouring Emami, showing her image paired with a verse from the Persian poet Ferdowsi that celebrated the courage of women 'on the battlefield'. The state broadcaster has aired the clip of Emami during Monday's attacks multiple times since then, celebrating its presenter. State TV meanwhile mocked a reporter for the London-based Iran International TV, which is critical of the Iranian government. In footage from a live broadcast, the reporter in Israel is seen rushing to a bomb shelter after warnings of incoming missiles from Iran.
