Iran International leads popularity stakes

Foreign-based Persian-language broadcasters dominate the news and information market in Iran, according to an article in Shargh Daily, a relatively independent and reformist newspaper in Iran.

The article, published on 8 August, calls for the Iranian government to be more tolerant of media and criticism, pointing out that Iranian citizens turn to international TV news services for day-to-day information.

BBC News Persian, Iran International, Manoto and VoA Persian News Network are influential, “with Iran International getting ahead by employing anchors and journalists who left Iran and having an impact on public opinion in the country.”

The article’s author, Ghader Bastani, writing on Iran’s Journalist Day, urged the government to give freedom “as the most effective way to fight corruption and improve government efficiency.”

According to a survey carried out by the Netherlands-based Gamaan agency in 2021, Iran International had the highest audience for TV news in the country, at 33% daily audience, while Manoto TV rated at 30%. BBC News Persian ranked at 17%, Turkey-based Jam TV at 16.5% and Persian News Network operated by Voice of America at 11%. Iranian state TV ranked at 16%, according to the survey.