Episode 50: Conversation with Marketa Hulpachova (Tehran Bureau)
Oct 12, 2022
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Marketa Hulpachova, from Tehran Bureau, discusses economic challenges in Iran, corruption investigations, and the impact of protests. They explore surveillance tactics, technology solutions, financial crisis in Tehran, and Supreme Leader's financial ties. The episode also covers challenges of data journalism in Iran, Chinese surveillance, and legal risks in investigating international corruption networks.
Tehran Bureau uses data journalism to investigate Iran's economic landscape and business ties of ruling figures.
Recent protests in Iran reflect a shift towards challenging the Islamic Republic and demands for significant change.
Deep dives
Marqetta Hopochova's Journey and Role at Tehran Bureau
Marqetta Hopochova, Director of Investigations and Research at Tehran Bureau, discusses her role at the organization. She highlights how Tehran Bureau transformed into an investigative outlet focusing solely on data journalism related to Iran's economy. Marqetta emphasizes the outlet's audience, catering to international communities interested in Iran's economic landscape and individuals within the country. Tehran Bureau publishes content in both Farsi and English, aiming to inform journalists covering corruption, business, and Iran's economy with a focus on expanding its audience globally.
Significance of Women's Rights Protests in Iran
Marqetta Hopochova reflects on the evolution and significance of recent protests in Iran, particularly emphasizing the unprecedented focus on women's rights. She praises the bravery of young women challenging mandatory hijab laws and authoritarianism. Comparing current protests to past movements, Marqetta notes a shift towards disenchantment with the Islamic Republic, with calls for significant change and even its end.
Regime Reactions to Protests and Shift towards Authoritarianism
Analyzing potential regime responses to protests, Marqetta discusses possible strategies like offering concessions on hijab rules to appease protesters. She raises concerns about a transition towards networked authoritarianism using technology like facial recognition and artificial intelligence for stricter surveillance. Marqetta highlights the regime's focus on retaining power through control and surveillance measures, signaling a move towards a more ordered surveillance state.
Challenges of Data Journalism in Iran and Information Security
Marqetta Hopochova delves into data journalism challenges in Iran, especially related to information security amidst internet shutdowns and blockages during protests. Emphasizing the importance of preserving data in chaotic situations, she underscores the necessity of securing and storing critical information in the face of potential disruptions. Marqetta also discusses concerns about the vulnerability and potential loss of data due to technical disruptions or intentional actions, highlighting the need for proactive data preservation measures.
This episode explores how to approach data journalism in a closed-information society like Iran. We spoke to Tehran Bureau's Marketa Hulpachova, director of investigations and research at the independent media outlet. She explains the economic challenges for everyday people inside the sanctioned country and how these protests differ from previous ones. We also learn how her corruption investigations use publicly available information to explore the business ties and growing wealth of leading figures in the Iranian regime.
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