Maziar Bahari

Maziar Bahari, born on May 25, 1967, is an Iranian-Canadian journalist, filmmaker, and human rights defender whose work has made a significant impact in the realm of media and activism. He served as a reporter for Newsweek from 1998 to 2011, during which he reported on critical issues affecting Iran and the broader Middle East.

In 2009, Bahari was unjustly imprisoned by the Iranian government for a period of nearly four months, from June 21 to October 17. His harrowing experience during this time inspired him to write a poignant family memoir titled 'Then They Came for Me,' which became a New York Times bestseller. This memoir later served as the foundation for Jon Stewart's acclaimed 2014 film 'Rosewater.'

Beyond his writing, Bahari has been a proactive advocate for freedom of expression. He founded the IranWire citizen journalism news site, which aims to provide a platform for independent reporting in Iran. Additionally, he launched the campaign 'Journalism Is Not A Crime' to raise awareness about the challenges faced by journalists in oppressive regimes.

Bahari's commitment to social change extends to the arts; he established the organization 'Paint the Change,' which focuses on education and public art initiatives. Through his multifaceted career, Maziar Bahari continues to champion human rights and inspire others to stand up for freedom and justice.