Split Reporting and Criticisms on the Reported Death Toll in Iran

As protests continue across Iran, many have accused the Iranian government of killing protestors, but the total number of reported deaths has varied and been disputed.

HRANA Figure: Western media outlets across the spectrum have relied on figures from the Washington, DC-based think tank, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), which said it has confirmed the deaths of 2,403 as of January 13. According to Reuters (Center bias), as of January 14, the agency had raised its death toll to 2,571.

CBS News Report: On January 13, CBS News (Lean Left) said "two sources, including one inside Iran," told it that between 12,000 and 20,000 people have been killed. CBS prominently wrote, "The truth has been incredibly difficult to piece together due to Iran's hardline rulers cutting off internet access and phone service in the country for the last five days."

For Context: HRANA says on its "About Us" page that it is "committed to neutrality and avoiding political affiliations." According to ProPublica's (Lean Left) Nonprofit Explorer, since HRANA was founded in 2017, almost 100% of its funding has come from donations. Since her takeover of CBS, Bari Weiss (Center) has been described as pro-Israel by media across the spectrum. Iranian authorities have shut down the country's internet since January 8, though Elon Musk reportedly offered free Starlink service on January 13.

Media Criticisms: Max Blumenthal (Left) and Wyatt Reed of The Grayzone (Left) expressed skepticism about mainstream media's death toll reporting. "Western media ignores the shocking wave of violence" being committed by anti-government demonstrators, the two wrote, "turning instead to US government-funded NGOs for data." Blumenthal also criticized CBS News' report on X and wrote, "This is why Bari Weiss was installed at CBS, in case it wasn't already clear." Michael Tracey cited reporting from several major mainstream outlets across the spectrum and wrote, "The huge death tolls in Iran being splashed all over the media are sourced to an outfit in Fairfax, VA called 'Human Rights Activists in Iran' that is overwhelmingly funded by the US government. What is their methodology? Is it credible? Who cares? Just pump the big numbers out."

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