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*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 - 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 political, economic and social Iranian issues in the presence of a panel of guests. The show was called-out by digital-ed.com<ref name="digital-ed.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.digital-ed.com/2009/07/press-tv-burns-source.html|date=8 July 2009 |title=Press TV burns a source - Me!}}</ref> on July 8, 2009, alleging manipulation of an interview through selective editing.
*Iran Today - a show aired 5 times a week examining various political, economic and social Iranian issues in the presence of a panel of guests. The show was called-out by digital-ed.com<ref name="digital-ed.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.digital-ed.com/2009/07/press-tv-burns-source.html|date=8 July 2009 |title=Press TV burns a source - Me!}}</ref> on July 8, 2009, alleging manipulation of an interview through selective editing.
*Islam & Life - A weekly show presented by [[Tariq Ramadan]] in London, dealing with the challenges and opportunities facing Muslims, especially in the west.
*Islam & Life - A weekly show presented by [[Tariq Ramadan]] in London,<ref>http://www.hurryupharry.org/2009/08/28/dutch-university-terminates-tariq-ramadans-appointment-due-to-press-tv-involvement/</ref> dealing with the challenges and opportunities facing Muslims, especially in the west.
*Middle East Press - A daily review of regional newspapers, highlighting various views on hottest issues impacting the region, hosted by [[Nadine Mazloum]] and [[Serena Shim]] in Beirut.
*Middle East Press - A daily review of regional newspapers, highlighting various views on hottest issues impacting the region, hosted by [[Nadine Mazloum]] and [[Serena Shim]] in Beirut.
*Outside the Box - A weekly 25-minute show, accentuating strident voices usually unheard of in the West. The show is hosted by [[Tina Richards]].
*Outside the Box - A weekly 25-minute show, accentuating strident voices usually unheard of in the West. The show is hosted by [[Tina Richards]].

Revision as of 03:26, 6 September 2009

Press TV
HeadquartersTehran, Iran
Programming
Language(s)English
Ownership
OwnerIslamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting[1][2]
Key peopleShahab Mossavat, Yvonne Ridley

Press TV is a Tehran, Iran based English language international television news channel. Funded by the Iranian government, the channel has 50 international correspondents and over 500 staff around the world, and broadcasts on a round-the-clock schedule. It has been accused of biased reporting on the Gaza War and the 2009 Iranian presidential election, and of providing a platform for holocaust deniers.

History

The channel's website launched in late January 2007,[3] test satellite transmissions were conducted in late April 2007, and the channel was launched on July 3, 2007.[4] On March 18, 2009, Press TV launched a new website with a modified graphical user interface.[5] The new website was available on an alternative address (www.presstv.ir/new) until March 31, 2009 when the old website was put out of service. On April 5, 2009, Press TV made it possible to view its website in two different versions - the old version (Classic Version) and the ordinary version. However, program archives go back only a few months, and programs not useful for propaganda purposes never make it to the website.

Vision

Press TV offers round-the-clock news bulletins every half-hour, a series of commentary programmes and roundtable panel discussions, as well as documentary-style political films. It seeks to compete, inter alia, with Al Jazeera English and France 24, both launched in 2006 and Russia Today, which began broadcasting in December 2005.[6]

The stated mission of Press TV is to offer alternative views,[7] especially on Middle Eastern affairs, to coverage by BBC World, CNN International and Al Jazeera English,[8][9], saying it intends to cover world news differently from the Anglophone "mainstream media" channels BBC World News, and CNN International.

Funding and independence

The annual budget of Press TV is 250 billion Rials (more than 25 million US dollars),[10] funded by the Iranian government.[11]

Journalists

Mohammad Sarafraz, Deputy Head of IRIB and head of the channel, said[12] most of Press TV's foreign-based correspondents were non-Iranians, and included many Britons as well as Americans. The channel has over 50 correspondents in London, New York, Washington, Beirut, Damascus, Beijing, Moscow and several other European capitals, as well as four correspondents covering the Israel-Palestine conflict from Gaza, Ramallah and Jerusalem. Mr Sarafraz said training had been provided by "a BBC employee."[12]

One of Press TV's presenters is Yvonne Ridley, the former Al Jazeera[13] and Sunday Express journalist who converted to Islam after being captured by the Taliban in 2001.[14] Another is George Galloway, a British member of parliament who formed the RESPECT party after being expelled from the Labour Party for his controversial views. He discusses issues such as the need to counter the Israeli lobby and has spoken favorably about the 9/11 Truth Movement, which claims that the 2001 World Trade Center attack was "an inside job."[15]

Andrew Gilligan is a journalist working for Press TV in London. He is known for his investigative work; particularly a 2003 report he did about a British government briefing paper on Iraq and weapons of mass destruction (the September Dossier) while working for BBC Radio 4's The Today Programme as its defense and diplomatic correspondent. He now produces and presents "Forum" on Press TV. Tariq Ramadan presents a show entitled "Islam & Life" broadcast from the London bureau.

Amina Taylor presents Between the Headlines, and Derek Conway MP, presents Epilogue. Regular contributors include James Whale, the radio presenter who is known for the late night radio show he presented on TalkSport from 1995 until 2008, when he was infamously sacked for calling on his listeners to vote for Boris Johnson in the London mayoral election[16], and Lauren Booth sister-in-law of Tony Blair.

Max Keiser, a noted financial journalist, hosts a show entitled "On the Edge" for Press TV.[17]

In 2007, well-known journalist Frank Ucciardo[18] (aka Jonathan Miller) established Press TV's United Nations news bureau.

News bulletin anchors

News anchors include Kaveh Taghvae, Arash Zahedi, Said Pourreza, Hassan Tavakoli, Nargess Moballeghi, Bardia Honardar, Sheena Shirani, Waqar Rizvi, and Kaneez Fatima.[citation needed] International Sports news is anchored by Junot Castelyn.

Controversy

The The Jerusalem Post[19] and Searchlight Magazine,[20] have criticized Press TV for publishing on its official website an editorial[21] claiming that the Auschwitz gas chambers were used for "benign" purposes only, authored by the British science historian, Holocaust denier and conspiracy theorist Nicholas Kollerstrom.

The conservative Canadian weekly Maclean's has alleged that Press TV sometimes publishes so-called "intentional errors",[22] citing a story on the Press TV website that it said contained the claim, based on unnamed sources, that the Lebanese government is trying to convert the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp into an American military base. Maclean's, however, goes on to say that "most of Press TV's news reports are factually accurate."[23]

Nick Ferrari, a leading British radio presenter, quit his show on Press TV on 30 June 2009, following the response of the country's authorities to protests over the disputed Iranian presidential election. Ferrari told The Times that Press TV’s news coverage had been “reasonably fair” until the election — but not any longer.[24] In August 2009, Ofcom, the British broadcasting regulator, judged that certain shows on Press TV had broken its broadcasting code on impartiality in their coverage of the Gaza War.[25]

On July 7, 2009, Press TV reported its license was revoked in Jordan, meaning it could no longer operate in the country. No reason was given for the decision.[26]

In August 2009, WND.com reported that just prior to the recent Iranian presidential elections, funds from press TV were diverted to the campaign of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.[27].

Current programmes

  • The Agenda - A political commentary show hosted by Yvonne Ridley formerly broadcast on the Islam Channel.[14]
  • American Dream - A news commentary programme formerly hosted in the United States by Mark Levine[28], Elliott Francis, Ibrahim Hooper (Communications Director of CAIR, which advocates for the establishment of an Islamic Republic in the United States) and Brian Becker (head of ANSWER and the International Action Center).
  • 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. A platform to ask the presenter questions or argue with him live on controversial issues.
  • Fine Print - A thrice-weekly analysis of on-line mainstream media hosted by Amir Arfa.
  • Forum - A debate programme presented by the former BBC journalist Andrew Gilligan.[29]
  • 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 political, economic and social Iranian issues in the presence of a panel of guests. The show was called-out by digital-ed.com[30] on July 8, 2009, alleging manipulation of an interview through selective editing.
  • Islam & Life - A weekly show presented by Tariq Ramadan in London,[31] dealing with the challenges and opportunities facing Muslims, especially in the west.
  • Middle East Press - A daily review of regional newspapers, highlighting various views on hottest issues impacting the region, hosted by Nadine Mazloum and Serena Shim in Beirut.
  • Outside the Box - A weekly 25-minute show, accentuating strident voices usually unheard of in the West. The show is hosted by Tina Richards.
  • The Real Deal - A wide-ranging weekly show by George Galloway, the British member of parliament, and head of the Respect party.[32]
  • Remember the Children of Palestine - A weekly 1-hour show hosted by Lauren Booth and Amina Taylor covering the 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

  • 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.
  • Euro Focus - Presented by Roshan Muhammed Salih and Fareena Alam, offers a weekly round-up of news and features from all over Europe.
  • Four Corners - 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 the veteran broadcast journalist Alan Hart goes searching for the truth of matters by engaging a host of intellectuals, investigative journalists and activists, among others, in conversation.
  • 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.
  • 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.

References

  1. ^ BBC News / Country Profile: Iran
  2. ^ About Us (Official IRIB website)
  3. ^ ISNA (2007-01-24). "IRIB-Iran launches Press TV website". Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
  4. ^ The Associated Press (2007-06-26). "Iran Launches English Satellite Channel". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
  5. ^ Press TV launches new website | Press TV
  6. ^ Press TV Vision
  7. ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/03/AR2009090303808.html
  8. ^ "Iran launches English TV channel". bbc.co.uk. 2007-07-02. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  9. ^ Yahoo News Article on Press TV accessed 08-02-2007
  10. ^ Mehr News article on Press TV
  11. ^ International Herald Tribute article on Press TV 07-02-2007
  12. ^ a b 'An antidote to Fox': Iran launches English TV channel (The Guardian)
  13. ^ Ilaam.net
  14. ^ a b Oliver Burkeman, Helen Pidd and Robert Tait (2007-07-03). "An antidote to Fox: Iran launches English TV channel". guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  15. ^ http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread456331/pg1
  16. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-564233/Radio-presenter-James-Whale-sacked--urging-listeners-vote-Boris-Johnson.html
  17. ^ http://www.presstv.ir/programs/ Press TV program list
  18. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjeSaDWe6JA
  19. ^ Iranian website promotes Holocaust denial
  20. ^ [1] The apologist for terror and the BBC by David Williams, July 2008.
  21. ^ The Walls of Auschwitz; A Review of the Chemical Studies by Nicholas Kollerstrom, PhD.
  22. ^ http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/06/28/iran.neda.dispute/index.html
  23. ^ Iran: Not the most reliable source | Macleans.ca - World - Global
  24. ^ Presenter Nick Ferrari quits Iran Press TV over ‘bias’ after election, The Times, 1 July 2009
  25. ^ Galloway TV shows 'broke rules'
  26. ^ Jordan urged to let reopen Iran TV stations. Press TV. July 7, 2009
  27. ^ http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=106918
  28. ^ "Mark is now on International Television". Retrieved 2007-07-20.
  29. ^ http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/dominic_lawson/article6638036.ece
  30. ^ "Press TV burns a source - Me!". 8 July 2009.
  31. ^ http://www.hurryupharry.org/2009/08/28/dutch-university-terminates-tariq-ramadans-appointment-due-to-press-tv-involvement/
  32. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du2tKNHqvtI

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