Press TV
 | This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. (September 2008) |
| Ownership | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting |
| Key people | Shahab Mossavat, Yvonne Ridley |
Press TV is an English language international television news channel which is funded by the Iranian government, based in Tehran and broadcasts in English on a round-the-clock schedule. With 26 international correspondents and more than 400 staff around the world, its stated mission is to offer a different view of the world events.[1][2]
History
The channel's website launched in late January 2007.[3] Test satellite transmissions were conducted in late April 2007. The launch date for the channel was July 2, 2007.[4]
Vision
Press TV has stated its intention to cover world news differently from the Anglophone channels BBC World News, and CNN International. Press TV states that it is not beholden to any commercial or governmental entity, nor internally constrained to deviate from its editorial independence. Press TV seeks to compete, inter alia, with the past-launched Al Jazeera English and France 24 in 2006 and Russia Today in December 2005.[5]
Press TV has three mission statements; to break the global media stranglehold of western outlets; to bridge cultural divisions pragmatically; and to highlight the versatility and vitality of political and cultural differences, making up the human condition.
The policy makers of Press TV assert that since the 9/11 attacks, the global mass media have been divided into two major camps: the Western media, and a pan-Arabist grouping; both of which, in the channel's view, are limited if not partial in their coverage. The stated mission of Press TV is to offer alternative and independent views, especially on Middle East affairs, to the kinds of coverage exemplified by BBC World, CNN International and Al Jazeera English.[1][6]
Press TV, offers round-the-clock news bulletins every half-hour, a series of chiefly live commentary programs and roundtable panel discussions, as well as documentary films.
Funding and independence
Press TV is funded by the Iranian government.[7] According to Shahab Mossavat, the former Press TV director of communications - and currently a leading host - Press TV will keep its editorial independence from the government. In an interview with NPR (National Public Radio), he emphasized that Press TV will be state-funded rather than state controlled.[8]
The annual budget of Press TV is 250 billion Rials (more than 27 million US dollars).[9]
Journalists
Mohammad Sarafraz, head of the new channel, said 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 Al-Quds (Jerusalem). Mr Sarafraz said training had been provided by BBC-affiliated educators.
The award-winning former BBC journalist & novelist and also Guardian columnist, Afshin Rattansi, who launched the Dubai Business Channel and worked in senior positions at the BBC, Al Jazeera Arabic, Bloomberg and CNN International, anchors world news from Press TV's headquarters in Tehran. He has interviewed such luminaries as Gore Vidal and Noam Chomsky for Press TV.
A well-known face at the London bureau, based in Ealing, is Yvonne Ridley, the former Sunday Express journalist who converted to Islam after being captured by the Taliban in 2001.[10] However, the most immediately recognized face on PressTV - enjoying celebrity status - and also at the London bureau, is George Galloway, a British member of parliament and the head of RESPECT party.
Andrew Gilligan is another celebrated journalist working for Press TV in London. He is best known for his 2003 report 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 defence and diplomatic correspondent. Known for his investigative work - he worked on programs that uncovered the 9/11 operation and events that would lead to the Hutton Inquiry in Britain. He now produces and presents "FORUM" on Press TV.
Also presenting - a show titled Islam & Life - out of the London bureau, is Tariq Ramadan, the renowned Swiss academic and thinker, whom two of the world’s most influential magazines Prospect and Foreign Policy rank at number 8 in a list of the world’s top 100 contemporary intellectuals.
News Bulletin Anchors
With the latest regional & international stories being updated evey half hour, straight from the heart of the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, are: Kaveh Taghvae, Arash Zahedi, Said Pourreza, William Yong, Hassan Tavakoli, Touria Ghafari, Narges Mobaleghi, Sheena Shirani and Zarrin Shajari. Also anchoring Sports Int'l news in Tehran are: Nick Jones, Luke Manzarpour and Bardia Honardar.
Programs
- Fine Print- A thrice-weekly analysis of on-line mainstream media hosted by Amir Arfa. A 45-minute scrutiny of news through alternative eyes.
- The Agenda - A political commentary show hosted by Yvonne Ridley formerly broadcast on the Islam Channel.[10]
- The American Dream - A news commentary program formerly hosted in the United States by Mark Levine.[11]. The show is currently hosted by Elliot Francis.
- Between the Headlines - A review of the day's headlines previously hosted by Mark Watts, now presented by Amina Taylor and Jan Fossgard, aired live from London.
- Four Corners - 45 minutes of live daily news commentary panel discussion, hosted by Shahab Mossavat and Susan Modaress, broadcast from Tehran. The show covers critical news stories from across the globe.
- Middle East Today - 25 minutes of intense daily panel discussion on the region's most news-making events, broadcast live from Tehran ( formerly ) hosted by Chris Gelken and now Joobin Zarvan. The show is also aired on weekends, from Beirut by Mariam Saleh & Marlin Dick.
- Iran - A 25-minute weekly show formerly hosted by Behrouz Nadjafi, covering topical issues on Iran plus reports and interviews on major cultural events held in the country over the week. A new season, however, has kicked off with Setareh Ghane as host.
- Epilogue - A 25-minute weekly program introducing controversial & seminal literature while interviewing well-known writers and critics, hosted by Derek Conway, Bob Stewart, George Logan, Patrick Fyffe and James Whale.
- World Week Watch - Half-hour round-up of world events by Oscar Reyes and Kristiane Backer.
- Minbar - A weekly Q&A about Islam presented by Ahmad Haneef.
- Forum - Presented by (the former BBC journalist) Andrew Gilligan, featuring Nick Ferrari and David Toube. At the heart of the show is the audience driving a heated debate between panelists.
- Reporters' File - A weekly reportage-oriented program, dealing with various Iranian and world stories, from a local correspondent's perspective. The show is hosted by Susan Modaress.
- Islam & Life - A weekly show presented by Tariq Ramadan in London, dealing with the challenges and opportunities facing Muslims, especially in the west.
- The Real Deal - A weekly show by George Galloway, the British member of parliament, and head of the Respect party, focusing on double standards and corruption in the international political and financial arena. For this reason, it is commonly known as "Spivwatch" among fans.
- 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.
- EURO Focus - Presented by Roshan Muhammed Salih and Fareena Alam, offers a weekly round-up of news and features from all over Europe.
- Women's Voice - Presented by Maryam Namazie and Yassamine Mather, and made by women for women. The show scrutinizes the status of women in the west and deals with their common issues, challenges and upheavals.
- Outside The Box - A weekly 25-minute show, accentuating voices usually unheard of in the west. The show is hosted by Tina Richards, .
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
References
- ^ a b "Iran launches English TV channel". bbc.co.uk. 2007-07-02. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
- ^ Iran to launch press TV
- ^ ISNA (2007-01-24). "IRIB-Iran launches Press TV website". Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
- ^ The Associated Press (2007-06-26). "Iran Launches English Satellite Channel". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
- ^ Press TV Vision
- ^ Yahoo News Article on Press TV accessed 08-02-2007
- ^ International Herald Tribute article on Press TV 07-02-2007
- ^ Iran's Press TV to Rival Western Media (Audio file)
- ^ Mehr News article on Press TV
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Mark is now on International Television". Retrieved 2007-07-20.