Iran International, the 24-hour Persian-language news network, has been honoured with the prestigious AAM Award, which is granted annually to leading media outlets and advocates of free expression and civil society.
The 12th edition of the awards ceremony took place on Thursday, 8 May, in Washington, where Iran International was recognised for its efforts in amplifying the voices of the Iranian people and maintaining integrity in its news coverage.
The award is part of American Abroad Media (AAM) initiatives that recognises individuals and organisations contributing to education, empowerment, and the enhancement of the media's role in providing effective public information. The event also promotes dialogue, press freedom, and responsible journalism, attracting politicians, diplomats, and cultural figures from around the world.
Mehdi Parpanchi, Executive Editor of Iran International’s Washington office, accepted the award on behalf of the network’s audience, highlighting that much of its content is based on stories and reports sent from across Iran.
“Today, Iran International is the most-watched news channel inside the country and across the diaspora. We are the only 24/7 newsroom fully dedicated to Iranian news, and that is not just a technical setup, it is a line of communication in the dark,” said Parpanchi during his acceptance speech.
In May 2024, Iran International also received the 2024 Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy’s “Courage Award.” This recognition highlighted the threats and pressures faced by the network’s journalists and praised their bravery, noting that the Islamic Republic’s Ministry of Intelligence has labelled the network a “terrorist organisation” due to its reporting.
Aliasghar Ramezanpour, Executive News Editor of Iran International, said in a related interview that the outlet considers itself part of the broader family of Iranian journalists, many of whom have faced repression over the past four decades. He emphasised that the regime’s anger towards Iran International stems from its fear of those very journalists.
