Journalists silenced over coverage of water crisis in western Iran, rights group says

Rising Pressure on Local Journalists

Authorities in the western Iranian city of Baneh have intensified their pressure on journalists and social media administrators after several days of severe water shortages. Reports suggest that several residents expressed frustration online about the continuing water crisis, leading to detentions of at least three local journalists who had covered or commented on the issue.

Crackdown Following Protests

According to statements from rights groups, security forces responded to public criticism by summoning and interrogating reporters and bloggers. Some were reportedly warned not to report further on the situation or to share critical content online. The censorship campaign coincided with growing public protests about the government’s failure to address worsening water shortages across the region.

Background on the Water Crisis

Baneh, located in Iran’s Kurdistan province, has suffered from declining water reserves due to prolonged drought and insufficient infrastructure investment. Critics accuse officials of ignoring years of environmental warnings, while state media have largely downplayed the scope of the crisis, presenting it as a temporary supply issue.

Rights Groups’ Reactions

The human rights organization Hengaw reported that the detentions reflect a broader pattern of silencing dissent in minority Kurdish areas. Another advocacy organization based abroad called for immediate release of detained journalists, insisting that “reporting on a public crisis is not a crime.”

“The government is trying to hide its own failure by punishing those who speak out about it,” said a representative from Hengaw.

Official Silence and Public Concern

Government officials in Kurdistan have not commented publicly on the arrests or the continuing water shortages. Residents, meanwhile, say that water cuts lasting more than a week have endangered livelihoods and forced families to rely on tanker deliveries. Social media users continue to post videos showing empty water tanks, even as authorities tighten restrictions.

Author’s Summary: Iranian authorities in Baneh have detained and threatened journalists reporting on the region’s worsening water crisis, highlighting escalating censorship amid growing public discontent.

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ایران اینترنشنال ایران اینترنشنال — 2025-11-28

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