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Press TV

Country	Iran
Headquarters	Tehran, Iran
Programming
Language(s)	English, Persian
Ownership
Owner	Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting
Key people	Shahab Mossavat, Yvonne Ridley

Press TV is a 24-hour English language global news network. Its headquarters are located in Tehran, Iran, with worldwide bureaus in Beirut (Lebanon), Damascus (Syria), London (UK), Seoul (South Korea) and Washington DC (USA).

Press TV carries news analysis, documentary talk shows and sports news worldwide with special focus on West Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Press TV is available in most parts of the world via 13 satellites, as well as cable and Internet. It is free-to-air for almost all of its viewers, although some cable companies include it on their platforms. Live video, audio, and FLV streaming is also available on its website.

Background

Mohammad Sarafraz (Press TV CEO), said in a June 2007 press conference that, "Since September 11, Western bias has divided the media into two camps: those that favour their policies make up one group and the rest of the media are attached to radical Islamic groups like Al-Qaeda. We want to show that there is a different view. Iran, and the Shi'ites in particular, have become a focal point of world propaganda. From the media point of view, we are trying to give a second eye to Western audiences."

The network's official vision is "to heed the voices and perspectives of the people of the world; build bridges of cultural understanding; encourage human beings of different nationalities, races and creeds to identify with one another; bring to light untold and overlooked stories of individuals who have experienced political and cultural divides firsthand." The head of Press TV Mohammad Sarafraz explained that "our experience tells us that pictorial reflection of news and the use of images are more effective than discussion and analysis."

History of website and satellite TV launch

The channel's website launched in late January 2007. Test satellite transmissions were conducted in late April 2007. The launch date for the channel was July 3, 2007. On March 18, 2009, Press TV launched a new website with a modified graphical user interface.

Funding and management

Press TV is state-funded and is a division of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

The annual budget of Press TV is 250 billion rials (more than 25 million US dollars).

Press TV broadcasts news reports and analyses which are close to the official position of the Iranian government, and its programmes are monitored and regulated by the Islamic Republic. Although there have been attempts to establish private, independent media outlets in Iran, notably by former Iranian Presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi, the 1979 Constitution of the Islamic Republic mandates that "all broadcasting must exclusively be government-operated."

Availability and viewership

Press TV's website has three URLs: www.presstv.ir, www.presstv.com and www.presstv.co.uk.

Press TV is free-to-air and is available via at least 13 satellites worldwide. This has enabled Press TV to be easily accessed by technically anyone who uses a satellite receiver to watch television programmes.

A video archive of Press TV's selected programs is also available on its website.

Although there has been a ban on using satellite dishes in the Islamic Republic of Iran since 1995, Press TV is available in some Iranian homes because many Iranian families defy the ban and watch satellite TV programmes alongside or instead of the official state television channels.

Although the channel has never provided any statistics on viewership, in May 2009 Press TV CEO Mohammed Sarafraz claimed that "the number of Press TV's viewers is increasing on a daily basis."

Coverage

Press TV offers round-the-clock news bulletins every half-hour, a series of repeating commentary programmes and round-table panel discussions, as well as documentary-style political films. In May 2009, Press TV CEO Mohammed Sarafraz announced that Press TV would "provide viewers with more newscasts while cutting down on its news analysis programs."

Press TV was created for the purpose of presenting news, images and arguments, especially on Middle Eastern affairs, to counter the news coverage that appears on broadcasts such those of BBC World, CNN International and Al Jazeera English.

Press TV has been praised for airing programs about under-reported stories around the world. According to mediachannel.org, "the government aims to use Press TV to counter what it sees as a steady stream of Western propaganda against Iran as well as offer an alternative view of world news." Iranian analyst Khorosh Ziabari agreed that it is "objectionable" for Press TV to serve as a government mouthpiece, though he pointed out that other stations, notably France 24, are also funded by national governments to disseminate propaganda and news from a national point of view.

By launching an English-language television channel to promote an Iranian perspective of the world, together with an Arab-language station, the Al-Alam News Network, the Iranian government hoped “to address a global audience exposed to misinformation and mudslinging as regards the Islamic Republic of Iran." The two networks focus on "difficult issues in the Middle East such as the United States’ occupation of neighbouring Iraq and the Shiite question."

Personnel

Press TV CEO Mohammad Sarafraz announced at the broadcast channel's launch press conference that Press TV intended to have correspondents in cities outside Iran, as well as four correspondents covering the Israel-Palestine conflict from Gaza, Ramallah and Jerusalem. He announced that many of Press TV's foreign-based staff and freelance correspondents would be non-Iranians and that training for some of the staff had been provided by "a BBC employee."

Iran staff

News anchors have included: Kaveh Taghvai, Arash Zahedi, Saeid Pourreza, Hassan Tavakoli, Kaneez Fatima, Homa Lezgee, Bardia Honardar, Waqar Rizvi, Behrouz Nadjafi, Nargess Moballeghi and Marzieh Hashemi. Also anchoring Sports International news in Tehran is Sheena Shirani, Junot Castelyn and Amir Hossein Eskandar.

Before returning to London, Afshin Rattansi, a former journalist with the BBC Today program, CNN International, Bloomberg and Al Jazeera Arabic, also anchored from Press TV's HQ in Tehran.

Amir Arfa hosts a Press TV media criticism show called "Fine Print." Arfa's show used to feature live debates among guests appearing by satellite, a format that has fallen out of favor with the station's management. Arfa admits that his guest roster is skewed, but blamed most major media organisations for their reluctance to allow their reporters to appear on Press TV, even when the reporters themselves are willing. "If the lineup of guests seems lop-sided, its not our fault," Arfa said in an interview. "We try hard to have a balanced show, but the mainstream media shuts you out."

North American staff

This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (December 2010)

Press TV maintains a presence in the United States through intermediary companies. "American Dream," produced in Washington, DC by Atlantic Television News (ATN), is a once-a-week broadcast that focuses on the dark underside ("warts and all") of American life. It has been hosted by Mark Levine, who quit the show after alleging editorial interference; Elliott Francis; Ibrahim Hooper (Communications Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations), and Brian Becker (head of A.N.S.W.E.R.) and the International Action Center.

"Autograph", Susan Modaress' new interview program, has mostly been filmed "on location" in the United States. Modaress has interviewed prominent people such as academics Norman Finkelstein and Noam Chomsky for that program. She has also interviewed former U.S. National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski for a program called "Face to Face." Susan Modaress has also done general assignment reporting from New York on issues ranging from a cigarette tax increase in New York to a Society of Ethical Culture forum on "Obama and the Imperial Presidency."

Other reporters who have worked in New York include Ataf Konja and Julie Walker. Colin Campbell, Rhonda Pence, Jihan Hafiz, Erin Connors, Mike Kellerman, and Ernie Cruise have filed reports from Washington, DC. Roxane Assaf has filed reports from Chicago.

Press TV's Canadian correspondent is Zahra Jamal, who is based in Vancouver.

Other correspondents and staff around the world

Press TV has correspondents across East and South-East Asia including Shahana Butt, who reports from Indian Administered Kashmir. Munawar Zaman reports from New Delhi. Aamer Trambu is Press TV's news and current affairs correspondent for the Mumbai and South India region.

Sari Al-Khalili presents "INfocus" from Ramallah and files West Bank news reports. Shireen Yassin reports from Jerusalem. Reports were also filed by Preethi Nallu from Copenhagen; Mohammed Abd and Elmonem from Cairo.

Ali Rizk is Press TV's Beirut news director. Other staffers in Lebanon include correspondent Serena Shim, a Lebanese-American who was born in Detroit, and Sara Moussa, a producer who lived previously in the US.

Svetlana Korkina is Press TV's correspondent in Moscow.

UK production company

Press TV Limited in London was incorporated in 2006 to produce news, factual programmes and documentaries to be sold to the Tehran-based Press TV News Channel. The company is registered at Companies House and is wholly owned and operated from the UK. Press TV Limited has its own YouTube channel.

Roshan Muhammed Salih is Press TV Limited's news editor and chief correspondent. Other London correspondents include Fareena Alam and Hassan Ghani. Matthew Richardson, Press TV Limited's Legal Adviser, has attracted attention for his appearances on other television outlets to discuss Press TV's compliance with Ofcom, particularly its coverage of contentious matters such as the 2009 Iranian election protests. Ofcom has since confirmed Matthew Richardson's view that Press TV had not breached rules of impartiality.

Current presenters

• Max Keiser, a financial journalist, hosted On the Edge.
• Yvonne Ridley, the former Al Jazeera and Sunday Express journalist presents The Agenda and Rattansi & Ridley.
• George Galloway, a former British Member of Parliament, presents Comment and The Real Deal.
• Tariq Ramadan presents a Islam & Life.
• Amina Taylor presents The Big Story and Remember Palestine. She used to present Between the Headlines, before the end of the series.
• Derek Conway, another former Member of Parliament, presents Epilogue and Comment, on occasion.
• Lauren Booth, anti-war activist and sister-in-law to former British prime minister Tony Blair, presents Remember Palestine and The Diaspora.

Former presenters

• Andrew Gilligan is a journalist who felt resigned from Press TV after he said that the "Iranian shilling that was inconsistent with my opposition to Islamism.. Prior to his departure, Gilligan hosted The Forum that consisted of a "regular discussion show on the station, in which Islamism, and the policies of the Iranian government, were often debated and challenged."
• James Whale
• Ken Livingstone, a former Mayor of London. He hosted Epilogue and Comment on occasion.

Current programmes

• Africa Today - Analytical weekly review of political, economic and social events in Africa, the world's second largest continent.
• The Agenda - A political commentary show hosted by Yvonne Ridley formerly broadcast on the Islam Channel.
• American Dream - A political round-table offering a "warts-and-all" picture of life in the USA from ghettos to gated communities.
• Anti-Semitism Rising, Why? - A debate show on the difference between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism presented by Alan Hart.
• Autograph - A 25min weekly interview with academics, authors, politicians and dignitaries encompassing a range of topics from cultural to political issues hosted by Susan Modaress.
• CinePolitics - A weekly 25-minute show, hosted by the Emmy-nominated film-maker Russell Michaels. The show examines current cinematic releases, and explores the underlying political and social issues that shape them.
• Comment - A live show from London hosted by George Galloway. The format allows a studio audience to ask the presenter questions or argue with him.
• East Asia Now - "Piercing questions, challenging experts, backed up by other opinions, statistics, as well as comments and questions from correspondents on East Asian stories."
• Fine Print - A twice-weekly analysis of on-line mainstream media hosted by Amir Arfa.
• Forum - A debate programme presented by the former BBC journalist Andrew Gilligan, featuring Nick Ferrari and others.
• Iran - A 25-minute weekly show covering topical issues on Iran plus reports and interviews on major cultural events held in the country over the week. The show is hosted by Setareh Ghane.
• Iran Today - a show aired 5 times a week examining various issues about Iran in the presence of a panel of guests.
• Islam & Life - A weekly show presented by Tariq Ramadan in London, dealing with the challenges and opportunities facing Muslims, especially in the west.
• Middle East Press - A daily review of regional newspapers, highlighting views on issues impacting the region, hosted by Nadine Mazloum and Serena Shim in Beirut.
• Rattansi & Ridley - A chat show aboard the only floating TV studio in the world, hosted by veteran award-winning journalists, Afshin Rattansi and Yvonne Ridley.
• The Real Deal - A wide-ranging weekly show by George Galloway.
• Remember the Children of Palestine - A weekly 1-hour show hosted by Lauren Booth and Amina Taylor covering issues that concern children living in Palestine, including music, films, photos, poems and artwork made in aid of their remembrance.
• Reporters' File - A weekly reportage-oriented programme, dealing with various Iranian and world stories, from a local correspondent's perspective. The show is produced & hosted by Joobin Zarvan.

Former programmes

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• Between the Headlines - A review of the day's headlines hosted by Mark Watts, Lauren Booth, Afshin Rattansi, Amina Taylor and Jan Fossgard, aired live from London.
• Canon - A 25-minute weekly show debating the legal perspective on the social and political issues around the world.
• Energy World - A 25-minute weekly show, dealing with current energy issues together with their political undercurrents, presented by former Russia Today host Amanda Burt.
• Epilogue - A 25-minute weekly programme on literature, featuring interviews with writers and critics, hosted by Derek Conway, Bob Stewart, Hugo de Burgh and James Whale.
• EuroFocus - Presented by Roshan Muhammed Salih and Fareena Alam, offers a weekly round-up of news and features from all over Europe.
• 4Corners - 25 minutes of live daily news commentary panel discussion, hosted by Shahab Mossavat, Joobin Zarvan and Nargess Moballeghi, broadcast from Tehran. The show covers critical news stories from across the globe.
• Hart of the Matter - A show where veteran broadcast journalist Alan Hart engages a host of intellectuals, investigative journalists and activists, amongst others, in conversation.
• Hearts and Minds - 45 Minute Panel Discussion on U.S. Foreign Policy produced in New York City. For several months, "Hearts and Minds" was presented by Alan Weisman (former producer of the Charlie Rose Show, and author of biographies of retired CBS newsman Dan Rather and defence expert Richard Perle) After Weisman, hosting duties were taken over by former "4 Corners" presenter Susan Modaress, who later hosted her own program, "Autograph." Stephanie Woods, a former reporter for the MTV News political news program Street Team '08, assumed the role of host in June 2009 until the program's last broadcast on September 30, 2009.
• Middle East Today - 25 minutes of daily panel discussion on the region's most news-making events, broadcast live from Tehran, formerly hosted by Chris Gelken and Joobin Zarvan and now presented by Marziyeh Hashemi. The show is also aired on weekends, from Beirut by Mariam Saleh and Marlin Dick and Zeinab Safar.
• Minbar - A weekly Q&A about Islam presented by Ahmad Haneef.
• Off The Cuff - Another audience-driven programme hosted by James Whale and Mike Mendoza. The show focuses on controversial issues where the presenter asks the questions around the theme and the audience express their views.
• Outside the Box - A weekly 25-minute show hosted by Tina Richards.
• Women's Voice - A programme made by women for women. The show scrutinizes the status of women in the West and deals with their common issues, challenges and upheavals.
• World Week Watch - Half-hour round-up of world events by Oscar Reyes and Kristiane Backer.

Allegations of bias

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Many critics have described Press TV as a mouthpiece for the government. One such claim was made by Nick Ferrari, a former presenter of one of Press TV's shows, told The Times that Press TV’s news coverage had been “reasonably fair” until the election — but not any longer.

During the 2011 revolts in the Arab world, Press TV has been at pains to put the spotlight on the demonstrations taking place in Bahrain, a state that has historical roots in Iran but which today is governed by a regime antagonistic to the Iranians in the Persian Gulf region, while at the same time toning down the significance of the demonstrations in Syria, a close ally of the Iranian leadership.

In 2010 the International Commission for Human Rights in Iran identified Press TV as being part of the Iranian regime's intelligence apparatus, and that Press TV collaborated with human rights violators to publicise forced confessions of dissidents.

In May 2011, Ofcom, the regulatory authority for the telecommunication industries in the United Kingdom, ruled that Press TV was responsible for a serious breach of UK broadcasting rules and could face a fine for airing an interview with Maziar Bahari, the Newsweek journalist arrested covering the Iranian presidential election in 2009, that was obtained by force while he was held in a Tehran jail.

See also

• IRIB
• National Iranian Radio & Television
• Media in Iran

References

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External links

• Press TV
  • PressTV free streaming
• Press TV profile on USC Center on Public Diplomacy wikipedia
• How to watch Press TV for Free via Satellite in North America

Template:International news channels

• Misplaced Pages neutral point of view disputes from December 2010
• Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting
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