Iran, Mattarella: ‘Cruel massacres that the regime wants to hide’

Rome, 15 January (LaPresse) – “Every repression, every manipulation of the principles of freedom passes, first and foremost, through the repression of journalists. It is no coincidence that the most brutal regimes immediately move to restrict freedom of information as soon as their actions are called into question. Consider what is happening in Iran these days: along with the brutal cruelty of the extermination of protesters, concealing what is happening – the street demonstrations, the repression, the killings – has been the primary concern of a regime that, from the outset, has attempted to block access to sources of information and the dissemination of news.” These were the words of the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, speaking at the Quirinale during a meeting with participants at the 30th anniversary of the Venice Seminar for the British press. ‘This is only the latest example of attempts to hide dissent, social unrest and the truth by obscuring the facts that journalists are called upon to report on in all circumstances, particularly in the most dramatic ones, such as conflicts from which they are excluded, their work censored or even their access prohibited,’ added the Head of State.