In Iran, state propaganda plays a major role in shaping and manipulating public opinion. The regime’s media outlets, including satellite channels, websites, newspapers, and social media accounts, are used to spread disinformation and sway public opinion in favor of the regime’s political interests. With a large financial investment in these media outlets, it’s clear how important propaganda is to the regime’s survival.
The Ministry of Intelligence and National Security is responsible for implementing this psychological warfare and disinformation. However, this kind of propaganda has not gone unnoticed. Big social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, have had to remove fake accounts and robots that were promoting the regime’s agenda. Additionally, some countries have had to admit that the regime is interfering with their media and internal affairs.
The budget of the Broadcasting Supervisory Council, which is made up of 8 members, has also increased by 61% to $325,000 for 2023. In just 2 years, the budget of this council has more than doubled.
It’s worth noting that 6 out of 8 members of this council were chosen by high-ranking regime officials, including the president and the head of the judiciary. Despite the fact that many social institutions have seen their budgets reduced, the regime’s media has the audacity to question public frustration over the increase in the budget of the Radio and Television institutions.
In a recent article, the state-run Shargh daily claimed that the regime’s “strong” and “popular” media serves as a deterrent to the enemy’s plans. In defense of the budget increase, they stated that if this amount of money is not allocated to the institution, the antenna will experience a significant decrease in the quantity and quality of broadcasts, preventing the IRIB from producing and broadcasting “excellent” works.
According to the Shargh daily, the parliament should not listen to its opponents and, bypassing the desired budget, it should “expand the conditions for artistic production and improve its works based on justice.”
It’s not surprising that a media outlet that only promotes the ideals and intentions of a theocratic regime is not well received by the public. The people are understandably boycotting such media in the age of free communication.
MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTub