Iran Encourages Journalists to Flee (Commentary, Text and Context) (Reprint‪)‬

The Iranian government has effectively encouraged many journalists and political activists to flee the country over the past year in order to rid itself of troublesome elements, assuming that from abroad the activists' voices will no longer influence Iranian public opinion. So far, it has been largely right. Following the controversial June 2009 Iranian elections, and subsequent unrest, it is estimated that the number of journalists and other media workers who had left Iran by the end of December ranges from 700 to 1,000, according to figures from media support groups.