In Iran, a news director was dismissed after a reporter aired an anti-government chant, 'Death to Khamenei,' during a live broadcast from a pro-government rally. The incident occurred on the 11th of the month in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, where Musab Rasoulizad, while reporting the chants of participants, deviated from the expected slogans against the U.S. and Israel, triggering a swift response from state-owned media. The news organization stated that disciplinary actions were being taken to maintain order and uphold the honor of journalism.

This event comes amidst ongoing anti-government protests across Iran, which have been met with severe government reprisals. The protests, sparked by high inflation and currency instability at the end of December last year, escalated significantly last month, with authorities claiming over 3,000 people—including civilians and security personnel—have died as a result of the unrest. However, human rights organizations have reported that the true death toll may be significantly higher, with U.S.-based HRANA reporting at least 7,002 fatalities, with some estimates suggesting the actual number could be in the tens of thousands.

The repercussions of this incident reflect the heightened tensions within the country regarding free expression and media accountability amid a tumultuous political landscape. As authorities continue to repress dissent and maintain a strict grip on narratives, the firing of the news director underscores the risks journalists face in Iran and the lengths to which the government will go to prevent dissent from being voiced, even inadvertently, during controlled televised events.