How Does the Media Work?

In Iran there is a "relatively free press" with many daily and weekly newspapers in circulation.  Every newspaper is licensed and can only publish stories allowed by the law and constitution. This means all publications are not at liberty to print all stories objectively.

Since the election of President Ahmadinejad, there has been fear of a mass closure of publications mirroring the mass closure in 2000. Fortunately, no mass closure has been issued; however, journalists have been called to officials such as the Supreme National Security Council and threatened against publishing articles critical of the government.

Most recently, the Supreme National Security Council has required all publications to cease distribution of any information or analyses on the nuclear issue and negotiations with the U.S. that differ from executive policy.

This leaves newspapers and journalists facing a challenge. The people want the newspapers to be more transparent with the people, but are pressured to stay in line with the government.

The press restrictions are even less than that of the broadcasters. Television has captured over 80% of Iranians as regular viewers. Almost all television- broadcasting networks are state-run and operated. This includes the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), which created Press TV.

IRIB has radio channels that are also widely listened to.

The internet is an easy way for middle-class households to get the news. News websites are often politically influenced and Iranian bloggers are at an all-time high.

Authorities not only try to censor newspapers and broadcasters, but they try to filter and limit what is seen online as well. Sites such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Flickr and YouTube are all blocked in Iran and many bloggers and activists have been arrested for their defiant posts against the government.

Top five papers are:

Tehran Times [English-language daily, published by state-run body]
Iran Daily [English-language, published by IRNA]
Iran News [English-language]
Aftab-e Yazd [Reformist daily]
Kayhan [Conservative daily]

Top television:
IRIB [State-run, operates four networks, provincial and international services]
Press TV [IRIB’s English-language channel]

Top News Agencies:
Islamic Republic News Agency [IRNA, state-run]
Iranian Students News Agency [ISNA, English-language]
Fars News Agency [English-language, Revolutionary Guards]
Mehr News Agency [English-language, Islamic Propagation Organization]