Iran has been conducting a smear campaign designed to intimidate Iranian journalists living in exile, including apparent death threats, the Guardian writes.
"Cyber-activists linked to the Islamic republic have fabricated news, duplicated Facebook accounts and spread false allegations of sexual misconduct by exiled journalists, while harassment of family members back in Iran has been stepped up by security officials," the newspaper claims.
"The staff at the BBC's Persian service in London are among dozens of Iranian journalists who have been subjected to what appears to be an operation sponsored by the authorities and aimed at discrediting reporters in the eyes of the public in Iran," the article continues.
"Stop writing about Iran, or face the consequences. That's the message being sent to Iranian journalists working outside the country, along with warnings that their reputations, finances and families are at risk should they refuse to comply," the Guardian cites Iranian journalist Golnaz Esfandiar.
