Access in Brief
Television
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Radio
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Newspapers
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Internet
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The Propaganda Machine
The censorship that transcends media in Iran seeps into every aspect of every day life. This must be understood to evaluate Persian media in any form. Between the removal of television stations, discontinuation of newspapers, and the state funded media complex, Persians are left with news that is barely news at all. To justify this, the government - and its funded pundits - blame the West for being "scared" of Iran and spreading lies about the nation. Below is a prime example of an English-language pro-Persian television station accusing the United States of fear mongering to deflect questions about why dozens of television stations for taken off the air.
Television
Television is the medium that Iranians use to consume most of their news, with over 80 percent having access to a TV. While still relatively low compared to the United States, in which over 96 percent of citizens have access to a TV it has similar viewership rates as the Czech Republic. The biggest issue is what Iranians are allowed to watch, with extreme censorship policies that regulate much of the content The supreme leader appoints all the heads and high ranking officials of the various broadcast news agencies and they are strategically aligned with the propaganda machine of the Iranian government. Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting is the state-run broadcasting service that includes a variety of channels – including the English-language Press TV – that Iranians have access to. There is a ban on satellite equipment, however, most Iranians risk using them to acquire other Western channels.
The United States government funds the Voice of America's Persian News Network (PNN) for $20 million annually, which includes original programming not controlled by the Iranian government. The U.S. State Department claims that 25 percent of Iranians watch PNN weekly, despite the government trying to prevent the signal from coming into the country and continually confiscating satellite dishes from citizens.
The United States government funds the Voice of America's Persian News Network (PNN) for $20 million annually, which includes original programming not controlled by the Iranian government. The U.S. State Department claims that 25 percent of Iranians watch PNN weekly, despite the government trying to prevent the signal from coming into the country and continually confiscating satellite dishes from citizens.
Newspapers
The newspaper industry in Iran is weak and getting weaker, despite the 100 daily papers that can be obtained in the country. Few Iranians buy a newspaper everyday, according to BBC. Despite the fact that the media is privately and publicly owned, the Islamic Revolutionary Court is in place to monitor print media and has the authority to shut down any journalist or news organization that is not acting what it determines to be in the “national interest." Citizens recognize that newspapers are inherently biased and extremely censored and so they are generally not trusted.
Bigger journalist crackdowns occur during election year, and the government will actively shut down newspapers and confiscate them from newsstands if they are anti-administration.
Newspaper readership is declining in Iran for some of the same reasons as the United States or Czech Republic as trends continue to promote online and digital news. Iranians also recognize the censorship programs put in place and many view newspapers as unreliable. Newspapers are easy to find on the streets in populated areas, although Iran does not have the abundance of local dallies like the United States. Most newspapers are either sports centric – which are extremely popular – or conservative leaning to align with the views of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Bigger journalist crackdowns occur during election year, and the government will actively shut down newspapers and confiscate them from newsstands if they are anti-administration.
Newspaper readership is declining in Iran for some of the same reasons as the United States or Czech Republic as trends continue to promote online and digital news. Iranians also recognize the censorship programs put in place and many view newspapers as unreliable. Newspapers are easy to find on the streets in populated areas, although Iran does not have the abundance of local dallies like the United States. Most newspapers are either sports centric – which are extremely popular – or conservative leaning to align with the views of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Internet
Iranians are increasingly going online to consume their news. At last count, there were over 42,000,000 Internet users in Iran, or just over 53 percent of the population. Although relatively low compared to the United States (78.1 percent usage) and the Czech Republic (73 percent uage), Iran still used the internet 10 percent more than other Middle Eastern country. Internet access is becoming more affordable and easier to setup. It is also one of the least regulated media outlets in the Iran, comparatively speaking, with a plethora of political websites and user-maintained weblogs available to read online. Many of these blogs perpetrate propaganda for the government – even President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad maintains his own blog.
The Iranian government still has a stronghold on online media, however, with social networking websites like Twitter, Facebook and Youtube blocked throughout the country. There is a long list of “Internet offences” that the Iranian government maintains that it uses to arrest journalists. The country consistently ranks in the top five in the world for arresting journalists, with 46 documented arrests so far in 2013 and many more in exile.
Ultimately, because the Internet is one of the hardest mediums to regulate, Iranians can acquire the most diverse palate of news available to them.
The Iranian government still has a stronghold on online media, however, with social networking websites like Twitter, Facebook and Youtube blocked throughout the country. There is a long list of “Internet offences” that the Iranian government maintains that it uses to arrest journalists. The country consistently ranks in the top five in the world for arresting journalists, with 46 documented arrests so far in 2013 and many more in exile.
Ultimately, because the Internet is one of the hardest mediums to regulate, Iranians can acquire the most diverse palate of news available to them.
Radio
Radio stations also exist, although in very limited form and almost entirely controlled by the government, like the parliamentary network.
Much like in the United States, radio has adopted more entertainment value than news value.
Below is an assortment of Tweets from the official Iranian Radio station, which covers topics from pop music to weather.
Much like in the United States, radio has adopted more entertainment value than news value.
Below is an assortment of Tweets from the official Iranian Radio station, which covers topics from pop music to weather.