Page 45 - AIB | The Chanel | Issue 1 2012

channel’s website that people can
use to upload their videos and still
images. We broadcast a lot of these
pictures during our extensive
coverage of the Arab uprisings in
2011.
How is your editorial agenda
different from other international
broadcasters – for example if we
look at coverage of uprisings in the
Middle East?
Well, Press TV has tried through its
correspondents to report on the
reality on the ground. As we have
correspondents reporting from a
given hot spot, talking to people
there and getting reactions from
both people and politicians, Press
TV has been able to give a clear
picture of the situation in countries
where uprisings have taken place.
Press TV’s main priority has been
‘what people’s demands are’
irrespective of the channel’s
political thinking, and that’s where
we make a difference.
Where does the funding for Press
TV come from?
We receive money from the
government. However, we do not
get instructions as to how to do the
job. We are a semi‐autonomous
region in a vast country! We also
make some money through
commercials. Editorially, we are
just as independent as the BBC
when it comes to issues such as
Iran, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
What is the relationship between
Press TV and IRIB?
The relationship between Press TV
and IRIB is limited to some
administrative and technical
matters. Press TV is located in a
different part of the city and its
staffers are not supervised by the
Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.
In October 2011, the UK's Daily
Telegraph newspaper called Press
TV an 'Iranian propaganda
channel'. How do you react to this?
Well, I think it is simply not right to
accuse a news channel, which is
covering what other media outlets
do not like to cover, of being a
propaganda machine. First we have
to define propaganda. If it means
what the mainstream media does
not approve of, then a lot of
independent journalists,
filmmakers, thinkers, philosophers
and very lately media outlets fall
into that category. Press TV is
trying to tell the truth as it stands,
while many other media outlets are
seeking to transform it into what
would benefit them or their group,
which is exactly what propaganda
means by definition.
How is the media landscape
changing in Iran?
Iran’s media landscape in my
opinion is one of dynamism and
constant evolution. Online media
have mushroomed in recent years
and TV channels are increasing in
number. We have a new Spanish
language TV which started
broadcasting in December. Now
that Hispan TV is on air, Iran has
three 24/7 international news
channels, namely Press TV, Al‐
Alam (Arabic) and Hispan TV.
While Iran has been moving fast
toward digitalizing all of its media
systems, it still has a long way to
go. However, given the rapidly‐
growing developments in the
region, the demand for new media
players has gone up drastically in
the country. More people are
turning to the Internet and satellite
TV channels for the latest on global
developments. That has certainly
had an impact on the supply chain
with authorities thinking of
creating more diverse ways of
disseminating information to a
news‐thirsty population.
What type of content are audiences
looking for?
Iranians are normally after political
news ‐ sometimes if there is a hot
economic topic it too will get a
political dimension by the end of
the day. The country’s general
cultural mentality does not sit well
with entertainment news. To a
large number of people, it really is
of no great value to hear about a
famous actor’s marriage or
retirement.
What relationship does Press TV
have with other international
broadcasters?
There is cooperation with RT at this
point for the exchange of pictures,
live and recorded, as per a bilateral
agreement. We can have similar
cooperation with other channels as
well.
In Iran at present the viewing of
some foreign international
channels is restricted. Do you see
that changing?
Well, I do not think any
government in the world can
successfully restrict the flow of
information because that goes
against human nature. Although
Iran has banned satellite receivers
for home use, people can watch
those channels online as the
Internet is widely accessible.
What are the main challenges for
international broadcasters today?
I think the global developments,
particularly the uprisings in the
Middle East and North Africa, have
created a challenge for the
mainstream media as they have
always defended the regimes that
have now fallen, and opportunities
for alternative media which have
always opposed those regimes.
What's your personal media use?
I tend to get most of the news via
my mobile phone which is
connected to the Internet both at
home, at work and on the street. I
also watch almost all 24/7 news
channels that broadcast in English
on a daily basis. As a former print
media journalist, I do not see any
point in buying a newspaper any
more!
Looking ahead, what are your
priorities?
As a relatively young news
channel, we are working hard to
increase our viewership through
diversifying our news bulletins and
programmes. Our efforts in the
coming months will be focused on
becoming an HD news channel.
Hamid Reza Emadi, thank you.
NEWS CHANNELS | THE CHANNEL
Now that
Hispan TV
is on the
air, Iran
has three
24/7 inter-
national
news
channels
“
”
www.presstv.ir
THE CHANNEL | ISSUE 1 2012 | 45