Brazilians slam EU bans on Press TV, channel’s top directors

Brazilians have condemned a string of sanctions by the European Union on Press TV, particularly the recent travel ban and financial restrictions against two senior directors of Iran’s 24-hour English-language news channel, Press TV reports.

On March 12, the European Union blacklisted Press TV CEO Mohammad Sarafraz and Newsroom Director Hamid Reza Emadi for airing a 10-second report about Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari, who worked for Newsweek magazine in Tehran in 2009 following post-election riots in Iran.

Emadi and Sarafraz are the latest victims in the ongoing international campaign to repress Iranian media. Both have been falsely accused without explanation or being given the chance to defend themselves.

A Brazilian international law attorney told Press TV that the move is in violation of freedom of expression and the right to self-defense.

“The honored reputation of Hamid Reza Emadi is being disintegrated by corrupt and hypocritical members of the European Union. By such moves they have committed a violation of human rights and the rights of free movement,” Pedro Lessi said.

This is not the first time such restrictions are imposed on Press TV in Europe. Iran’s Spanish-language Hispan TV, along with Press TV, has already been targeted by the European satellite providers Eutelsat and Hotbird.

“These sanctions are very serious and show an incoherent position related to what some governments are saying. On [the] one hand they talk about freedom of expression while on the other hand they shamelessly prosecuted Hispan TV and Press TV because of their coverage,” President of the Center for Studies of Alternative Media Altamiro Borges told Press TV.

“Despite Press TV’s demand for explanations, EU officials have not provided any clear evidence for imposing those sanctions,” Borges added.

Several politicians plan to denounce restrictions against Hispan TV and Press TV in Brazil.