Iranian cultural figures condemn internet blackout as ‘blatant tool of repression’
Iranian filmmakers Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof, two prominent cultural figures, issued a joint statement condemning the government’s recent internet blackout as a “blatant tool of repression” amid escalating nationwide protests. The blackout, lasting over 36 hours as of early January 2026, severed internet, mobile, and landline access to isolate protesters and conceal state violence. This tactic aligns with Iran’s history of using digital shutdowns to suppress dissent, as seen in prior protests.
Panahi and Rasoulof highlighted how the regime blocks both internal communication and external contact, preventing documentation of abuses. Their statement, shared on social media, described these measures as the “most blatant tools of repression” against mass demonstrations that began intensifying in late December 2025.
Amnesty International echoed this criticism, labeling the shutdown a human rights violation that hides killings and stifles protest organization. Such blackouts have recurred in Iran, including during 2022’s Woman Life Freedom uprising and fuel protests, often causing economic losses and self-censorship. Reporters Without Borders has also condemned similar actions amid conflicts, stressing the right to information.
