Press TV

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Press TV
Launched 2007
Owned by IRIB
Website www.presstv.ir
Availability
Satellite
Optus D2
Pacific Rim		 12706 / 22500 / 3/4 V
AsiaSat 3S
South Asia		 12352 / 30000 / 3/4 V
AsiaSat 2
South Asia		 3660 / 27500 / 3/4 V
Intelsat 10
Africa & Europe		 12682 / 26657 / 1/2 H
Intelsat 902
Middle East		 11555 / 27500 / 3/4 V
Arabsat 2B
Middle East		 12644 / 3000 / 3/4 H
Badr C
Middle East		 3880 / 27500 / 3/4 R(H)
Badr 4
Middle East		 12054 / 27500 3/4 V
Hot Bird 8
Europe		 12437 / 27500 / 3/4 H
Hispasat 1C
Latin America		 12172 / 27500 / 3/4 H
Galaxy 25
North America		 12053 / 22000 / 3/4 V
Internet Television
Press TV [1] (free Windows Media stream)
VDC Channel 206

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]

Contents

[edit] 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]

[edit] Vision

Press TV has stated its intention to cover world news differently from the Anglophone channels BBC World, and CNN International. Press TV claims not to be beholden to any commercial or governmental entity, or to be internally constrained to deviate from its editorial independence. It seeks to compete with the recently-launched Al Jazeera English, France 24 and Russia Today news channels. [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, a series of chiefly live commentary programs and roundtable panel discussions, as well as documentary films.

[edit] 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] Another of Press TV's journalists, Mark Levine, former host of "The American Dream," once stated that he was not being censored and would "explain American policies worldwide" with "the same uncompromising candor" that he has done on his radio show, "The Inside Scoop", for the last four years. [9] [10]. The annual budget of Press TV is 250 billion Rials (more than 27 million US dollars).[11]

[edit] Criticism

Press TV has drawn criticism from the British Community Services Trust and the Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Ireland, among others, for its endorsement of Holocaust denier Dr Nicholas Kollerstrom, formerly of University College, London. [12] The channel's website features a lengthy essay by Dr Kollerstrom, reasserting the arguments of Fred Leuchter that no Jews were ever gassed at Auschwitz. UCL's withdrawal of an honorary research fellowship from Dr Kollerstrom is cited by Press TV as an example of how "the West punishes people for their scientific research on Holocaust" [sic] [13]

Canadian weekly Macleans has alleged that Press TV sometimes publishes so-called "intentional errors", citing a story on the Press TV website which claims that the Lebanese government is trying to convert the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp into an American military base, based on unnamed sources. Others contend that such practices are not unknown among western news outlets. [14] Macleans also goes on to say that "most of Press TV's news reports are factually accurate.".

[edit] 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 30 correspondents in London, New York, Washington, Beirut, Damascus, Moscow and several other European capitals, as well as five correspondents covering the Israel-Palestine conflict from Gaza, Ramallah and Jerusalem. Mr Sarafraz said training had been provided by BBC-affiliated educators.

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.[15]. However, the most immediately recognized face - enjoying a global celebrity status - on Press T.V and again at the London bureau, is George Galloway, and his Real Deal.

New to Press TV is the Baghdad correspondent, Canadian journalist Amanda Lindhout.

[edit] 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.[15]
  • The American Dream - A news commentary program formerly hosted in the United States by Mark Levine.[9]. The show is currently hosted by Elliot Francis.
  • Between the Headlines - A review of the day's headlines hosted in the United Kingdom by Mark Watts. At present the show is hosted by Amina Taylor.
  • Four Corners - A daily live news commentary program hosted by Shahab Mossavat and Susan Modaress, broadcast from Tehran. The show covers news stories from across the globe.
  • Iran - A 25-minute weekly show formerly hosted by Behrouz Nadjafi, covering topical issues in Iran plus reports and interviews on major events held in the country over the week. This show is currently discontinued, as of March 2008. A new season, however, is underway with a new host.
  • Epilogue - A 25-minute weekly during which Martin Short introduces controversial literature while interviewing well-known writers and critics.
  • World Week Watch - Half-hour round-up of world events by journalist Sertan Baykara.
  • Middle East Today - A daily panel discussion on the region's most news-making events, broadcast live from Beirut (presented by Mariam Salih and Marlin Dick) and from Tehran, hosted by Chris Gelken and Joobin Zarvan.
  • Minbar - A weekly Q&A about Islam presented by Ahmad Haneef.
  • Forum - Presented by (the former BBC journalist) Andrew Gilligan. 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.
  • Nexus - Rebecca Masterton and guests from various faiths tackle a wide range of challenging issues in an interfaith dialogue program. This show is being discontinued as of June 2008 and replaced by a new show titled " Islam & Life ".
  • The Real Deal - A weekly show by George Galloway, the British member of parliament, and head of the Respect party, focusing on double standards in political life.
  • 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 Nabila Pathan and Maryam Namazie, 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.
  • Wake Up Tehran - An occasional 5 minute slot, showing current cultural events in the Iranian capital from a youth perspective. Has been presented by Andy Smart and Gareth 'Gaz Top' Jones.
  • Islam & Life - A weekly show presented by Tariq Ramadan in London, dealing with the challenges and opportunities facing Muslims, especially in the west; in light of contemporary trends and issues. This show has replaced " Nexus ", as of June 2008.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Iran launches English TV channel. bbc.co.uk (2007-07-02). Retrieved on 2007-08-06.
  2. ^ Iran to launch press TV
  3. ^ ISNA (2007-01-24). IRIB-Iran launches Press TV website (English). Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union. Retrieved on 2007-06-27.
  4. ^ The Associated Press (2007-06-26). Iran Launches English Satellite Channel (English). The Washington Post. Retrieved on 2007-06-27.
  5. ^ Press TV Vision
  6. ^ Yahoo News Article on Press TV accessed 08-02-2007
  7. ^ International Herald Tribute article on Press TV 07-02-2007
  8. ^ Iran's Press TV to Rival Western Media (Audio file)
  9. ^ a b Mark is now on International Television (English). Retrieved on 2007-07-20.
  10. ^ "The Inside Scoop" (Mark Levine's radio show) (English). Retrieved on 2007-08-10.
  11. ^ Mehr News article on Press TV
  12. ^ Jerusalem Post article on Kollerstrom's Press TV essay
  13. ^ Kollerstrom Press TV essay claiming that "the alleged massacre of Jewish people by gassing during World War II was scientifically impossible," May 18, 2007
  14. ^ Iran: Not the most reliable source | Macleans.ca - World - Global
  15. ^ 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 on 2007-08-06.

[edit] External links

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