No free elections without freedom of information

On the eve of the first round of Iran’s presidential election tomorrow, Reporters Without Borders is launching a new ad campaign to denounce the unacceptable conditions in which this election is taking place, above all the government’s contempt for freedom of information. Essential for free and democratic elections, freedom of information is not respected in the Islamic Republic.

Inspired by Obey posters and designed by the Publicis Belgium advertising agency, the “Yes We Can” campaign draws the general public’s attention to Iran’s appalling record on free speech and freedom of information under the Supreme Leader and President Ahmadinejad. And now censorship and repression are being stepped up yet again on the eve of the election.

The human rights situation in Iran got much worse during Ahmadinejad’s two presidential terms. More than 200 newspapers have been closed during the past eights years, while more than 300 journalists and netizens have been arbitrarily arrested, tortured and given long jail sentences. A total of 54 Iranian journalists and netizens are currently detained for trying to provide their fellow citizens with news and information.