Journalists in Trouble is a monthly report of incidents targeting Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) journalists and their work, and developments affecting press freedom in our coverage region. Subscribe for exclusive updates.  

IRAN: Radio Farda and its Journalist Designated “Hostile”  

In July, Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence published a new directive naming dozens of individuals, media outlets, and social media accounts as “hostile,” signaling a further expansion of regime pressure amid the war. Among the outlets named was RFE/RL’s Persian language Service, Radio Farda. In addition, RFE/RL’s Fereshteh Ghazi was one of three journalists mentioned by name. Under the new directive, submitting footage, photographs, reports, or any digital content to the outlets or journalists listed is a prosecutable offense. 

Former RFE/RL journalist Reza Valizadeh remains wrongfully detained in Iran. During a press engagement with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on July 22, an RFE/RL reporter asked about the American citizens held by Iran, including Reza. The Secretary confirmed that the wrongfully detained “will always be a priority in our conversations.” 

Reza has been held in Evin Prison since September 2024. Conditions inside the prison are notoriously brutal. In addition to extreme overcrowding, Reza has reported “physical pressure and mental torture.” He suffers from worsening asthma, exacerbated by a lack of access to basic medical care, such as an inhaler.   

You can keep up with Reza’s case by visiting this website or by following this X account. 

RUSSIA: UN Working Group Calls for Nika Novak’s Release 

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has issued an opinion deeming the imprisonment of RFE/RL journalist Nika Novak by Russia arbitrary and calling for her immediate release. Russian authorities have held Nika for nearly 1000 days, accusing her of “collaboration with a foreign organization on a confidential basis.” The UN Working Group noted the overly broad nature of the article Nika was charged under and that it was used to punish her journalistic work for RFE/RL.  

Nika continues to be held in a notoriously harsh Siberian prison where she faces extreme temperatures and psychological pressure. 

TAKE ACTION: Nika turned 34 in July, marking her third birthday behind bars. Join us in sending her a message of support by following the link here. 

AZERBAIJAN: RFE/RL Reporter Spends National Journalist Day in Prison 

As Azerbaijan marked National Journalist Day on July 22, RFE/RL’s Farid Mehralizada and former Voice of America reporter Ulviyya Ali remained unjustly imprisoned for their work. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 25 journalists are wrongfully imprisoned in Azerbaijan 

On July 17, Ulviyya’s fiancée, Ramin Guluzada, published an op-ed in The Hill urging the U.S. government to “speak loudly and clearly” about Ulviyya’s case. “I need America’s help to bring her back,” he wrote. 

UKRAINE: Vladyslav Yesypenko Receives Order of Merit from President Zelenskyy 

On Ukraine’s Constitution Day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded RFE/RL journalist and former political prisoner Vladyslav Yesypnko the Order of Merit, Third Class. The award recognized Vladyslav’s “significant contribution to the development of domestic journalism and the information sphere, courage and dedication shown during the coverage of the events of the full-scale invasion.” 

Vladyslav was released from wrongful detention in Russia-occupied Crimea on June 20, 2025.  

My name is Nathan Shoemaker, Advocacy Officer here at RFE/RL and the author of Journalists in Trouble. Thank you for reading and subscribing to our newsletter and for standing with persecuted journalists. 

If you are interested in amplifying the stories of our imprisoned journalists, you can reach us by emailing advocacy@rferl.org.