Iranian-Australians have criticised the ABC for the alleged misreporting of anti-regime protests in Tehran, which have resulted in thousands of deaths. On Wednesday, approximately 200 members of the Iranian-Australian community gathered peacefully outside ABC’s Brisbane office to protest what they deemed miscoverage over the number of fatalities.
Protesters claimed that while the ABC reported an approximate 2,000 deaths, evidence sourced from within Iran claimed its death toll was closer to 12,000.
The protests featured Iranian and Australia flags, with attendees denouncing selective reporting, and protest organisers calling for more accurate media coverage surrounding the government crackdown.
They argued that recent events in Iran have represented a humanitarian crisis, emphasising harsh restrictions on communication that consequently left much of the population without internet access for days. Similar demonstrations were held outside the Iranian embassy in Canberra.
B&T reached out to ABC for comment. The publication had not responded before publication of this article.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: “We have taken some 200 sanctions, including IRGC members and entities and other entities and individuals. We continue to call on the regime, as has President Trump and world leaders, to cease this brutal oppression of its people”.
Protesters have maintained that the situation in Iran has constituted a mass killing of civilians and has stressed the importance of comprehensive, honest reporting.
The masthead has now reported “at least 3,400 killed in protests” in an article published today.
