No, This Is Not an Al Jazeera Statement Discouraging Coverage of Iran’s Protests
The Claim
The image depicts a leaked document from the Al Jazeera department advising its reporters not to cover the Iranian protests.
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An image purportedly showing a leaked document from the Al Jazeera department has been widely shared on social media.
According to the allegations, Al Jazeera instructed its employees, including reporters and journalists, not to cover the Iranian protests or publish anything critical of the Iranian government.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar has investigated the claim and found it to be fake.
The document is not authentic. Al Jazeera has not issued such an instruction.
The Al Jazeera Document Is Fake
Misbar's investigation revealed that the Director General of Al Jazeera Network is not Saleem Alyafei, whose name appeared to sign the alleged document.
Mostefa Souag is the network's current Director General, and Ahmed Alyafei has been the network's Manager Director since 2018.
Al Jazeera's Tehran bureau chief, Abdalqader Fayez, denied the allegation, saying that the claim is unfounded and the document is fabricated and uses unprofessional language.
Mr. Fayez also stated that the names, terminology, and positions that were mentioned were incorrect.
According to Abdalqader Fayez, the claim is directed at Al Jazeera and the State of Qatar, as well as its policies.
2022 Iran Protests
Protests erupted in Iran two months ago in response to the death of Mahsa Amini. The young woman was accused of violating a law requiring women to cover their arms, legs, and hair with a hijab.
According to the Iranian Human Rights Organization, 326 protestors were killed during the protests, including 43 children and 25 women.
After Mahsa Amini's death, thousands of women and feminist activists posted videos cutting off their hair and burning their headscarves and clothes.
Misbar's team has addressed a number of misleading and false claims concerning Mahsa Amini's death and the Iranian protests.
Read More
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This Photo Was Taken in July 2022, Not During the Current Mahsa Amini Protests
