Iran denies journalists trip to DW workshop
October 31, 2018
Deutsche Welle announced on Wednesday that after several weeks of trying to work with Iranian authorities, a group of journalists from Iran would not be able to attend the DW Akademie's Environmental Reporting Workshop.
The reporters were denied permission to leave their country by Tehran, which has neither offered an explanation nor responded to a request for comment from DW. The journalists have also said they have yet to receive their passports back from the appropriate authorities, even though the workshop took place from October 8 to 12. Attempts to reschedule their trip for a later date did not pan out.
"The DW Akademie believes that there is a human right to freedom of expression and free access to information. However, the example of Iranian journalists makes it clear that strong forces within the regime in Tehran have no interest in either," said Akademie chief Carsten von Nahmen.
The DW Akademie is Deutsche Welle's center for media development and journalism training, which specializes in offering services to developing countries seeking to promote independent media.