View source for Press TV

{{Short description|Iranian state-owned English-language news network}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = Press TV
| logo = File:Press TV logo.svg
| logo_alt = 
| type = [[State media|State-run media]]
| logo_size = 200px
| launch_date = {{start date and age|df=yes|2007|7|8}}
| closed_date = 
| owner = [[Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting]]
| sister_channels = [[Al-Alam News Network]]<br /> [[HispanTV]]
| area = Worldwide
| country = [[Iran]]
| language = English & French
| picture_format = [[576i]], [[16:9]] ([[SDTV]])<br />[[1080i]] ([[HDTV]])
                    [[1080p]] ([[HDTV]])
| headquarters = [[Tehran]], [[Iran]]
| website = {{Official URL}}
| terr_serv_1 = Jamaran
| terr_chan_1 = CH43 UHF Digital (SD)
| terr_serv_2 = Alvand
| terr_chan_2 = CH34 UHF Digital (Full HD)
| terr_serv_3 = Zuku TV (Kenya)
| terr_chan_3 = Channel 563 (Zuku Fiber only)
}}

'''Press TV''' (stylised as '''PRESSTV''') is an Iranian [[state media|state-owned]] news media organisation, owned by [[Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting]] (IRIB), that broadcasts in the English and French languages. The 24-hour channel, which has headquarters in [[Tehran]], was launched on 8 July 2007 and was intended to compete with western English language services.<ref name="NYT20070703" /><ref name="BBC20070702">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6260716.stm |title=Iran launches English TV channel |access-date=6 August 2007 |date=2 July 2007 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |archive-date=25 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325041104/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6260716.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CNN20070730" /> Press TV has been described as an outlet for government [[Propaganda in Iran|propaganda]].<ref name="Atl20130206">{{cite news|last=Abad-Santos|first=Alexander|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/02/iran-state-tv-sanctions/318616/|title=The Most Ridiculous Propaganda from Iran's State TV Before Our New Sanctions|work=The Atlantic|date=6 February 2013|access-date=13 July 2020|archive-date=13 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713124642/https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/02/iran-state-tv-sanctions/318616/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ABC20200625">{{cite news|last=Gambrell|first=Jon|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/report-iran-tv-airs-355-coerced-confessions-decade-71442899|title=Report: Iran TV airs 355 coerced confessions over decade|work=ABC News|agency=Associated Press|date=25 June 2020|access-date=13 July 2020|archive-date=13 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713145655/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/report-iran-tv-airs-355-coerced-confessions-decade-71442899|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Frantzman2020JerusalemPost">{{cite news|last=Frantzman|first=Seth J.|url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/irans-regime-pushes-antisemitic-conspiracies-about-coronavirus-620212|title=Iran's regime pushes antisemitic conspiracies about coronavirus|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=8 March 2020|access-date=15 June 2025|archive-date=10 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310213820/https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iran-News/Irans-regime-pushes-antisemitic-conspiracies-about-coronavirus-620212|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Background and purpose==
[[File:PressTV at University of Johannesburg.jpg|thumbnail|PressTV shooting at [[University of Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]]]]
Iran's first international English-language TV channel was established in 1976.<ref name=":0b">{{Cite web|url=http://cinemapress.ir/news/95191/نقش-شبکه-های-برون-مرزی-سیما-در-تعمیق-پیوندهای-منطقه-ای|title=نقش شبکه های برون مرزی سیما در تعمیق پیوندهای منطقه ای|date=2018-03-06|website=اخبار سینمای ایران و جهان - سینماپرس|language=fa|access-date=2019-02-28}}</ref> Later in 1997, [[Sahar TV]] was launched by [[IRIB]], broadcasting in multiple languages including English.<ref name=":0b" />

Press TV was created on 8 July 2007, for the purpose of presenting news, images and arguments, especially on Middle Eastern affairs, to counter the news coverage that appears on [[BBC World News]], [[CNN International]] and [[Al Jazeera English]].<ref name="BBC20070702" /><ref name="CNN20070730">{{Cite news|last=Daftari|first=Amir A.|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/07/10/press.tv/index.html|title=Iran launches 'alternative' news|work=CNN|date=30 July 2007|access-date=2019-02-28|archive-date=28 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228065954/http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/07/10/press.tv/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Press TV is state-funded and is a division of the [[Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting]] (IRIB), the only organisation legally able to transmit radio and television broadcasts inside Iran.<ref name="Atl20130206" /><ref name="ABC20200625" /><ref name="NYT20070703">{{cite news|last=Fathi|first=Nazila|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/03/world/middleeast/03iran.html|title=Iran Expands Role in Media, via Satellite and in English|work=The New York Times|date=<!-- Tuesday -->3 July 2007|access-date=13 July 2020|archive-date=24 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124055929/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/03/world/middleeast/03iran.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Based in Tehran,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mostaghim|first1=Ramin|last2=Daragahi|first2=Borzou|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jul-13-fg-presstv13-story.html|title=Iran starts its own English satellite news|work=Los Angeles Times|date=23 July 2007|access-date=3 September 2020|archive-date=21 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021170539/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jul-13-fg-presstv13-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> it broadcasts to North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and parts of Africa and Latin America.<ref>{{cite book|editor-last=Rosenfeld|editor-first=Alvin H.|author-last=Tuchman|author-first=Ayeh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ibfkCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA367|title=Deciphering the New Antisemitism|location=Bloomington, Ind.|publisher=Indiana University Press|year=2015|page=367|isbn=9780253018694|access-date=26 September 2020|archive-date=10 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310201406/https://books.google.com/books?id=ibfkCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA367|url-status=live}}</ref>

IRIB's head is appointed directly by the supreme leader, [[Ayatollah]] [[Ali Khamenei]]; according to ''[[The Guardian]]'', it is close to the country's [[Iranian Principlists|conservative political faction]], especially the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|Revolutionary Guards]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Dehghan|first=Saeed Kamali|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/iran-blog/2014/feb/06/iran-president-hassan-rouhani-healthcare-obamacare|title=Rouhanicare: Iran's president promises healthcare for all by 2018|work=The Guardian|date=6 February 2014|access-date=3 September 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806130636/https://www.theguardian.com/world/iran-blog/2014/feb/06/iran-president-hassan-rouhani-healthcare-obamacare|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-09 |title=Will Iran's IRIB Be Sanctioned By The United States? |url=https://en.radiofarda.com/a/will-iran-s-irib-be-sanctioned-by-the-united-states-/30477964.html |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=[[Radio Farda]] |language=en}}</ref>

Press TV CEO [[Mohammad Sarafraz]] said in a June 2007 press conference that, "Since September 11, Western bias has divided the media into two camps: those that favour their policies make up one group and the rest of the media are attached to radical Islamic groups like [[Al-Qaeda]]. We want to show that there is a different view. Iran, and the [[Shi'a Islam|Shi'as]] in particular, have become a focal point of world propaganda. From the media point of view, we are trying to give a second eye to Western audiences."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1182409649771&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter |title=Iran launches English TV news station |work=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=4 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223113715/http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1182409649771&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter |archive-date=23 December 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

By launching an English-language television network to promote an Iranian perspective of the world, together with an Arab-language station, the [[Al-Alam News Network]], the Iranian government said it hoped "to address a global audience exposed to misinformation and mudslinging as regards the Islamic Republic of Iran."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gozaar.org/template1.php?id=1348&language=english|title=A Guided Tour of Press TV|last=Ekhtiari|first=Khosro|date=15 September 2009|publisher=Gozaar|access-date=29 December 2009|archive-date=26 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926224306/http://www.gozaar.org/template1.php?id=1348&language=english|url-status=live}}</ref> The two networks focus on "difficult issues in the Middle East such as the United States’ occupation of neighbouring Iraq and the Shia question."<ref name=samati>{{cite news|url=http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=38417 |title=New TV Channel to Focus on Iraq, Shia Issues |last=Sanati |first=Kimia |date=4 July 2007 |publisher=[[Inter Press Service|IPS]] |access-date=29 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090121014222/http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=38417 |archive-date=21 January 2009 }}</ref> According to mediachannel.org, "the government aims to use Press TV to counter what it sees as a steady stream of Western propaganda against Iran as well as offer an alternative view of world news".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mediachannel.org/wordpress/2007/07/13/irans-press-tv-to-give-alternative-view/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091108084856/http://mediachannel.org/wordpress/2007/07/13/irans-press-tv-to-give-alternative-view/|url-status=dead|title=Mediachannel|archive-date=8 November 2009}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=July 2021}}

Press TV began its activities in London during 2007.<ref name=launches /> The network's website launched in late January 2007,<ref name="APBU">{{cite web|url=http://www.abu.org.my/public/dsp_page.cfm?articleid=2631&urlsectionid=1061&specialsection=ART_FULL&pageid=247&PSID=3372|title=IRIB-Iran launches Press TV website|access-date=27 June 2007|publisher=Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union|date=24 January 2007|work=ISNA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220231442/http://www.abu.org.my/public/dsp_page.cfm?articleid=2631&urlsectionid=1061&specialsection=ART_FULL&pageid=247&PSID=3372|archive-date=20 December 2007}}</ref> and the channel itself on <!-- Monday -->2 July 2007.<ref name="NYT20070703" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Media Environment Guide: Iran |url=http://www.combatfilms.com/mediaoperations/Media%20Environment%20Guide%20Iran.pdf |access-date=21 December 2013 |publisher=BBC Monitoring |date=30 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801201438/http://www.combatfilms.com/mediaoperations/Media%20Environment%20Guide%20Iran.pdf |archive-date=1 August 2014 }}</ref> Roshan Muhammed Salih was Press TV's first London news editor and chief correspondent.<ref name=launches>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabmediawatch.com/amw/Articles/PressReleases/tabid/77/newsid391/5437/Press-TV-launches-on-Sky/Default.aspx |title=Press TV launches on Sky |last=Salih |first=Roshan Muhammed |date=1 December 2008 |publisher=Arab Media Watch |access-date=29 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081213134203/http://www.arabmediawatch.com/amw/Articles/PressReleases/tabid/77/newsid391/5437/Press-TV-launches-on-Sky/Default.aspx |archive-date=13 December 2008}}</ref> In an article for ''The Guardian'' in July 2009, Salih wrote that Press TV was "willing to give a platform to legitimate actors whom the western media will not touch, such as Hamas and Hezbollah".<ref>{{cite news|last=Salih|first=Roshan Muhammed|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/jul/14/press-tv-iran-ahmadinejad|title=Press TV speaks for itself|work=The Guardian|date=14 July 2009|access-date=5 October 2021}}</ref>

The BBC journalist Linda Pressly described Press TV as pro-Palestinian and opposed to [[sanctions against Iran]] in December 2011. At the time Press TV Ltd in London sold programmes to Iran, principally talk shows, while Tehran's Press TV International produced the majority of the news and documentaries.<ref name="BBC20111229">{{cite news|last=Pressly|first=Linda|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16317282|title=Iran's battle for TV influence takes shape on Press TV|work=BBC News|date=29 December 2011|access-date=13 July 2020|archive-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407043908/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16317282|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of 2009, the annual budget of Press TV is 250 billion [[Iranian rial|rials]] (more than US$8.3 million).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mehrnews.com/fa/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=519985|title=بودجه پرس تی‌وی 25 میلیارد تومان است / میزان پخش فیلم‌های ایرانی و خارجی متعادل می‌شود|publisher=Mehr News|access-date=29 December 2009|archive-date=8 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308200620/http://www.mehrnews.com/fa/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=519985|url-status=live}}</ref> By then, the station was employing more than 400 throughout the world.<ref name="StPt2009">{{cite news|last=Weaver|first=Frances|url=https://standpointmag.co.uk/news-from-tehran-april-09-counterpoints/|title=News from Tehran|work=Standpoint|date=4 April 2009|access-date=12 January 2021|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114163644/https://standpointmag.co.uk/news-from-tehran-april-09-counterpoints/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Controversies==
===Pro-Iranian government bias===
Press TV promotes [[Foreign relations of Iran|Iranian foreign policy]]<ref name="TmsLdn20200129" /> and has been described as [[Propaganda in Iran|Iranian government propaganda]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Freedman|first=Seth|date=13 July 2009|title=The Press TV pantomime|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/jul/09/press-tv-iran-impartial|url-status=live|access-date=3 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411091349/http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jul/09/press-tv-iran-impartial|archive-date=11 April 2013}}</ref>

It has aired the [[Forced confession|coerced confessions]] of multiple prisoners, the basis for the revocation of its license to broadcast in the UK after such an incident.<ref name="OD20150518">{{cite news|last=Sadr|first=Shadi|date=18 May 2015|title=Documenting the perpetrators amongst the people|work=openDemocracy|url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opensecurity/documenting-perpetrators-amongst-people/|url-status=live|access-date=13 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715172535/https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opensecurity/documenting-perpetrators-amongst-people/|archive-date=15 July 2020}}</ref> Press TV has disputed accusations{{which|date=September 2022}} made against it.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ullah|first=Areeb|date=14 January 2020|title=Google deletes Press TV UK's YouTube account|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/google-shuts-down-press-tv-uks-youtube-account|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117222903/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/google-shuts-down-press-tv-uks-youtube-account|archive-date=17 January 2021|access-date=2021-01-22|website=Middle East Eye|language=en}}</ref>

Press TV's news bulletins often feature Iranian ministers, diplomats or government officials, or guest commentators that  express views consistent with the Iranian government's "message of the day."<ref name="monthlyreview.org">{{cite web|url=http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2009/finkelstein030109.html|title=Interview with Norman G. Finkelstein: The First Goal of Israel Is to Restore the Fear of Israel in the Arab World|last=Press TV|date=1 March 2009|publisher=Monthly Review|access-date=12 January 2013|archive-date=17 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121217004344/http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2009/finkelstein030109.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.farsnews.ir/newstext.php?nn=8809070566|title=Iran Terms IAEA Resolution "Politically Motivated"|date=28 November 2009|publisher=Fars News Agency|access-date=29 December 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301004248/http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8809070566|archive-date=1 March 2012}}</ref> In 2012, commentator [[Douglas Murray (author)|Douglas Murray]] wrote that the station was the "Iranian government’s propaganda channel".<ref>{{cite news|last=Murray|first=Douglas|url=http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/7592013/push-off-now-press-tv-and-take-your-conspiracy-theories-with-you.thtml|title=Push off now, Press TV, and take your conspiracy theories with you|work=The Spectator|date=20 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123041822/http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/7592013/push-off-now-press-tv-and-take-your-conspiracy-theories-with-you.thtml|archive-date=23 January 2012}}</ref>

In a post-election "information offensive," reports the [[Associated Press]], Press TV and Al-Alam have "churned out a blitz of policy statements, negotiating points and news breaks as the main soapboxes for Iran's public diplomacy."<ref>{{cite web |author1=<!--No author name given.--> |date=16 November 2009 <!--Original publication date follows article text at URL.--> |title=Iran media plans stir talk of elite force at helm |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2009/11/16/iran-media-plans-stir-talk-of-elite-force-at-helm/ |url-access=limited |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |agency=Associated Press |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250615041812/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2009/11/16/iran-media-plans-stir-talk-of-elite-force-at-helm/ |archive-date=15 June 2025 }}</ref>

In 2007, the Canadian weekly ''[[Maclean's]]'', while observing that "most of Press TV's news reports are factually accurate," alleged that Press TV also publishes "intentional errors," citing a story on the Press TV website that contained the claim, based on "no evidence, that the Lebanese government is trying to convert the [[Nahr al-Bared]] Palestinian refugee camp into an American military base."<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Petrou |first1=Michael |date=30 July 2007 |title=Iran: Not the most reliable source |url=http://www.macleans.ca/world/global/article.jsp?content=20070730_107340_107340 |magazine=Maclean's |volume=120 |issue=29 |page=16 |issn=0024-9262 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007150744/http://www.macleans.ca/world/global/article.jsp?content=20070730_107340_107340 |archive-date=7 October 2007 }}</ref>

In August 2009, [[Ofcom]], the British broadcasting regulator, judged that two phone-in shows hosted by [[George Galloway]] on Press TV had broken its broadcasting code on impartiality in their coverage of the [[Gaza War (2008–09)|Gaza War]] by not including enough calls from pro-Israelis. Press TV said contributions to the show reflected the balance of opinion.<ref>{{cite web |author1=<!--No author name given.--> |date=3 August 2009 |title=Galloway TV shows 'broke rules' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8182361.stm |website=BBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807015105/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8182361.stm |archive-date=7 August 2009 }}</ref>

''[[The Sunday Times]]'' journalist [[Eleanor Mills (journalist)|Eleanor Mills]] walked out before a Press TV interview in 2010 after discovering she was not being interviewed by [[Sky News]], as she had falsely believed. While she was reassured on editorial independence from Tehran, Mills doubted she would be able to talk about torture in Iran or [[Death of Neda Agha-Soltan|Neda Agha-Soltan]], who was shot dead in the [[2009 Iranian presidential election protests]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Mills|first=Eleanor|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/eleanor-mills-the-ayatollahs-stooge-tf0bq5wwdjj|title=The ayatollahs' stooge|work=The Sunday Times|date=2 March 2020|access-date=21 August 2020|archive-date=13 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113235353/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/eleanor-mills-the-ayatollahs-stooge-tf0bq5wwdjj|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref>

=== Antisemitism ===
Press TV has been accused by the UK's ''[[The Jewish Chronicle]]'' of broadcasting "the most disreputable of fringe causes", such as [[Holocaust denial]],<ref name="TJC20090319" /> and of [[Antisemitism|antisemitic]] conspiracy theories by the [[Anti-Defamation League]].<ref name="ADL20150401" />

It was accused in December 2011 by British journalist [[Nick Cohen]] of functioning as "a platform for the full fascist conspiracy theory of supernatural Jewish power". He wrote that "If whites ran Press TV, one would have no difficulty in saying it was a [[Neo-Nazism|neo-Nazi]] network".<ref name="Cohen">{{cite news|last=Cohen|first=Nick|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/dec/04/nick-cohen-press-tv-hatred|title=Who will rid us of hate channels such as Press TV?|work=The Observer|location=London|date=4 December 2011|access-date=27 June 2020|archive-date=9 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609202956/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/dec/04/nick-cohen-press-tv-hatred|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Oliver Kamm]] in ''[[The Jewish Chronicle]]'' in 2009, of having an "ability to insinuate into public debate the worst and most pernicious ideas around", including [[Holocaust denial]].<ref name="TJC20090319">{{cite news|last=Kamm|first=Oliver|url=https://www.thejc.com/analysis-press-tv-peddles-pernicious-tosh-1.8283|title=Analysis: Press TV peddles pernicious tosh|work=The Jewish Chronicle|location=London|date=19 March 2009|access-date=27 June 2020|archive-date=27 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627110731/https://www.thejc.com/analysis-press-tv-peddles-pernicious-tosh-1.8283|url-status=live}}</ref>  Cohen mentioned that the station featured "fascist ideologues such as Peter Rushton, the leader of the [[White Nationalist Party]] – an organisation that disproves the notion that the only thing further to the right of the [[British National Party|BNP]] is the wall."<ref name="Cohen"/>

In a September 2009, Press TV picked up and republished an antisemitic conspiracy theory that was circulating in [[Algeria]] and [[Morocco]], accusing Jews of a conspiracy to kidnap Algerian children and [[Organ procurement|harvest their organs]]. Moroccan journalist Hassan Masiky criticized Press TV for trafficking in a dangerous "work of fantasy" that is a "nonsense, nightmarish tale".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/jews-harvesting-algerian-kids-organs|title='Jews harvesting Algerian kids' organs'|date=14 September 2009|website=The Jerusalem Post &#124; JPost.com}}</ref>

In a May 2011 article reprinted on the website of Press TV, correspondent Mark Dankof wrote an article about how the prediction of the fabricated antisemitic text ''[[Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion]]'' is "only partially true", and lauded Press TV as "one of the few exceptions to the Lobby's control" of the media.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2011/05/27/press-tv-and-the-protocols|title=Press TV and the Protocols|work=Community Security Trust|date=27 May 2011|access-date=22 January 2021|archive-date=10 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310200957/https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2011/05/27/press-tv-and-the-protocols|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2012, a report from the [[Anti-Defamation League]] (ADL) alleged that Press TV has broadcast what the ADL described as examples of [[Antisemitism|anti-Semitic]] conspiracy theories and opinions.<ref name="ADL20150401">{{cite web|title=Iran's Press TV: Broadcasting Anti-Semitism To English-Speaking World|url=https://www.adl.org/sites/default/files/documents/assets/pdf/anti-semitism/united-states/press-tv-report-2015-4-1.pdf|work=[[Anti-Defamation League]]|date=1 April 2015|access-date=27 June 2020|archive-date=29 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629013952/https://www.adl.org/sites/default/files/documents/assets/pdf/anti-semitism/united-states/press-tv-report-2015-4-1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The report says Press TV for interviewing individuals such as the American conspiracy theorist [[David Duke]] who said on the station that Israel was involved in [[September 11 attacks|9/11]] and of the [[Iraq War]], he said: "The Zionists orchestrated and created this war in the media, the government, and international finance".<ref name="ADL2012">{{cite news|url=https://www.adl.org/blog/press-tv-zionists-masterminded-the-911-attacks|title=Press TV: Zionists "Masterminded" the 9/11 Attacks|work=Anti-Defamation League|date=11 September 2012|access-date=27 June 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806114556/https://www.adl.org/blog/press-tv-zionists-masterminded-the-911-attacks|url-status=live}}</ref> The ADL reported in 2013 that in another appearance, Duke made "anti-Semitic allegations that are consistent with his record and typical of the views often espoused on Press TV".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.adl.org/blog/irans-press-tv-grants-david-duke-a-platform-for-hate|title=Iran's Press TV Grants David Duke A Platform For Hate|work=Anti-Defamation League|date=25 July 2013|access-date=27 June 2020|archive-date=29 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629114644/https://www.adl.org/blog/irans-press-tv-grants-david-duke-a-platform-for-hate|url-status=live}}</ref> Mark Dankof has also backed claims on Press TV that 9/11 was an "Israeli Mossad inside operation from start to finish".<ref name="ADL2012" />

In early 2015, Press TV claimed Jews or Israel were responsible for the [[Charlie Hebdo shooting|''Charlie Hebdo'' shooting]] in Paris.<ref name="ADL20150403">{{cite news|url=https://www.adl.org/blog/irans-press-tv-continues-to-broadcast-anti-semitism-as-news|title=Iran's Press TV Continues To Broadcast Anti-Semitism As 'News'|work=Anti-Defamation League|date=3 April 2015|access-date=27 June 2020|archive-date=27 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627181200/https://www.adl.org/blog/irans-press-tv-continues-to-broadcast-anti-semitism-as-news|url-status=live}}</ref> In a 20 January 2015 article by Kevin Barrett on the station's website he claimed that "The Zionists created ISIL and sent it to fight Muslims and Christians in Syria and Iraq" while "New World Order Zionism is also targeting the USA for destruction".<ref name="ADL20151123"/> In a 17 February 2015 article for the website, Barrett claimed [[September 11 attacks|9/11]] was a "Zionist ‘coup d'etat’ to seize power in the country and launch a permanent war on Islam on behalf of Israel" and falsely claimed the [[2011 Norway attacks|2011 attacks in Norway]] was the responsibility of a "team of Zionist-liked professional killers."<ref name="ADL20151123">{{cite news|url=https://www.adl.org/blog/anti-semite-claims-prominent-bds-activist-invited-him-to-berkeley-conference|title=Anti-Semite Claims Prominent BDS Activist Invited Him To Berkeley Conference|work=Anti-Defamation League|date=23 November 2015|access-date=13 July 2020|archive-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716170253/https://www.adl.org/blog/anti-semite-claims-prominent-bds-activist-invited-him-to-berkeley-conference|url-status=live}}</ref>

In early March 2020, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Press TV broadcast an item claiming "Zionist elements developed a deadlier strain of coronavirus against Iran" and a few days later claimed [[Israel]] was responsible for the virus.<ref name="Frantzman2020JerusalemPost"/>

====Publication of Holocaust denial====
On the subject of [[International Holocaust Remembrance Day]] (27 January), an editorial on the Press TV website in 2008 noted, "On this anniversary, we all need to mull over the faking of history and the Greatest Lie Ever Told". In 2008, ''[[The Jerusalem Post]]''<ref name="TJP2008">{{Cite news|last=Paul|first=Jonny|url=http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1211434103569&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull |title=Iranian website promotes Holocaust denial|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=25 May 2008|access-date=27 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527103109/http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1211434103569&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull |archive-date=27 May 2008|url-status=live }}</ref> and the British ''[[Searchlight (magazine)|Searchlight]]'' magazine<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Williams |first1=David |date=July 2008 |title=The apologist for terror and the BBC |url=http://www.searchlightmagazine.com/index.php?link=template&story=234 |magazine=Searchlight |issue=397 |pages=8–11 |issn= |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912022556/http://www.searchlightmagazine.com/index.php?link=template&story=234 |archive-date=12 September 2008 }} {{Internet Archive|id=searchlight_397|name=Searchlight no. 397 (July 2008)|page=7}}.</ref> criticized Press TV for reprinting on its website an article entitled "The Walls of Auschwitz: A Review of the Chemical Studies" by the British Holocaust denier [[Nicholas Kollerstrom]] which was first published by the denial group, the [[Holocaust denial#Bradley Smith and the Committee for Open Debate on the Holocaust|Committee for Open Debate on the Holocaust]] (CODOH).<ref name="Behrens">{{cite book|last1=Behrens|first1=Paul|last2=Terry|first2=Nicholas|last3=Jensen|first3=Olaf|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A0QlDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA48|title=Holocaust and Genocide Denial: A Contextual Perspective|location=Abingdon, UK & New York City|publisher=Routledge|year=2017|page=48|isbn=9781317204169|access-date=26 September 2020|archive-date=10 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310201840/https://books.google.com/books?id=A0QlDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA48|url-status=live}}</ref> The document claims that the Auschwitz [[gas chamber]]s were used for "benign" purposes only and said "the alleged massacre of Jewish people by gassing during World War II was scientifically impossible".<ref name="TJP2008" /><ref name="NS2008">{{cite news|last=Bright|first=Martin|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/martin-bright/2008/05/station-based-iranian-london|title=Why do we tolerate Press TV?|work=New Statesman|date=20 May 2008|access-date=12 January 2021|archive-date=28 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128032109/https://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/martin-bright/2008/05/station-based-iranian-london|url-status=live}}</ref> Press TV described Kollerstrom, by then removed as an honorary fellow of [[University College London]] (UCL) because of the article,<ref name="Behrens"/> as a "distinguished academic".<ref name="NS2008" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Lawson|first=Dominic|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/dominic-lawson/dominic-lawson-when-charities-turn-political-the-bbc-is-right-to-tread-warily-1516810.html|title=When charities turn political, the BBC is right to tread warily|work=The Independent|date=27 January 2009|access-date=27 June 2020|archive-date=29 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629112135/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/dominic-lawson/dominic-lawson-when-charities-turn-political-the-bbc-is-right-to-tread-warily-1516810.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Other Holocaust deniers to have appeared on the station include [[Michèle Renouf]] and Peter Rushton.<ref name="CST2011">{{cite news|last=Rich|first=Dave|url=https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2011/12/06/george-galloway-represents-press-tv|title=George Galloway represents Press TV|work=Community Security Trust|date=6 December 2011|access-date=12 January 2021|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114092530/https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2011/12/06/george-galloway-represents-press-tv|url-status=live}}</ref>

In a 2014 article on the website, the Canadian writer Brandon Martinez described [[Auschwitz concentration camp|Auschwitz]] as having been an appealing place where Jews were able to participate in "cultural and leisure activities". He rejected the existence of gas chambers during [[The Holocaust]] and the use of [[Zyklon B]] for the mass killings of [[History of the Jews in Europe|European Jews]]. To make his assertions he drew on claims made by Holocaust deniers Mark Webber and [[David Irving]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.adl.org/blog/iran-press-tv-provides-platform-to-emerging-anti-semitic-voices|title=Iran Press TV Provides Platform To Emerging Anti-Semitic Voices|work=Anti-Defamation League|date=26 February 2014|access-date=27 June 2020|archive-date=29 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629123403/https://www.adl.org/blog/iran-press-tv-provides-platform-to-emerging-anti-semitic-voices|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2013, the Press TV website reprinted an opinion piece in its 'Viewpoints' section, first written by M.I. Bhat for ''[[Veterans Today]]'', although Bhat was a regular columnist for Press TV as well.<ref name="Bhat">{{cite web|title=Iran's Press TV Claims American Jews Are "Incubating Another Hitler"|url=http://blog.adl.org/international/irans-press-tv-claims-american-jews-are-incubating-another-hitler|work=Anti-Defamation League|access-date=13 November 2013|date=13 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113190439/http://blog.adl.org/international/irans-press-tv-claims-american-jews-are-incubating-another-hitler|archive-date=13 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The article blamed Jews for their fate in the Holocaust and accepted "the Nazi regime’s anti-Jewish conspiracy theories as historical fact". Bhat queried whether American Jews were "incubating another Hitler".<ref name="Bhat" />

===Maziar Bahari case===
On 10 June 2010, the United Kingdom's ''[[Channel 4 News]]'' interviewed Iranian-Canadian journalist [[Maziar Bahari]], a documentary maker and ''[[Newsweek]]'' contributor, who was arrested while filming the protests following the contested [[2009 Iranian presidential election|Iranian presidential election in 2009]].<ref name="Morris">{{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Kylie|last2=Brown|first2=Katie|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/ofcom-investigates-irans-press-tv-over-interview-1996131.html|title=Ofcom investigates Iran's Press TV over 'interview'|work=The Independent|date=10 June 2010|access-date=13 July 2020|archive-date=29 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629160217/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/ofcom-investigates-irans-press-tv-over-interview-1996131.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Held in [[Evin Prison]], Bahari was accused of spying for the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]], [[Secret Intelligence Service|MI6]] and [[Mossad]], and was detained for 118 days. Bahari alleged that a 10-second Press TV interview and 'confession' that the western media was guilty of fomenting the protests had been preceded by torture, and was given under the threat of execution. The nature of the interview, that it was a forced confession, was not disclosed to viewers of the footage.<ref name="Morris" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Petrou|first=Michael|url=https://www.macleans.ca/uncategorized/irans-propaganda-mouthpiece-in-the-west-mazia-bahari-and-ottawas-tulip-festival/|title=Maziar Bahari and Iran's Press TV|work=MacLean's|date=23 May 2011|access-date=13 July 2020|archive-date=13 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713173224/https://www.macleans.ca/uncategorized/irans-propaganda-mouthpiece-in-the-west-mazia-bahari-and-ottawas-tulip-festival/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Tms20111201">{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/iranian-tv-channel-that-coerced-confession-is-fined-pound100000-hxzgvcxbwn5|title=Iranian TV channel that 'coerced confession' is fined £100,000|work=[[The Times]]|date=1 December 2011|access-date=13 July 2020|archive-date=15 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715214626/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/iranian-tv-channel-that-coerced-confession-is-fined-pound100000-hxzgvcxbwn5|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref> Having to talk complete rubbish before a camera to save his life "was like a rape”, he told ''The Sunday Times'' in 2012. "It went against the very essence of me".<ref>{{cite news|last=Mills|first=Eleanor|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/your-execution-is-imminent-hsdzldp9q8c|title=Your execution is imminent|work=[[The Times]]|location=London|date=15 January 2012|access-date=21 August 2020|archive-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416040623/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/your-execution-is-imminent-hsdzldp9q8c|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref> Bahari is not the only Iranian prisoner who has been coerced with a following broadcast of the supposed confession.<ref name="OD20150518" />

===Allegations about Canada===
Following the severing of [[Canada-Iran relations|diplomatic relations between Canada and Iran]] in September 2012, Press TV began to devote more attention to Canada.

In December 2012, Press TV aired a report entitled "Alberta takes aboriginal kids from parents at high rate" in which Joshua Blakeney, Press TV's Calgary correspondent, claimed that Alberta's child protective services were engaged in the human trafficking of First Nations children. Blakeney stated that "Some upset parents allege that there is a profit motive behind what they refer to as Canada's so-called child protective services" and asserted that an anti-terrorism squad, called INSET, was responsible for the abductions.<ref name=abduction>{{cite web |last1=Hopper |first1=Tristin |date=11 December 2012 |title=Iranian media report claims Alberta police abduct, traffic Aboriginal children for profit |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/12/11/iranian-media-report-claims-alberta-police-abduct-traffic-aboriginal-children-for-profit/ |website=National Post |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129162950/http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/12/11/iranian-media-report-claims-alberta-police-abduct-traffic-aboriginal-children-for-profit/ |archive-date=29 January 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Platt |first1=Michael |date=12 December 2012 |title=Lack of fact doesn't stop journalist claiming Alberta government sells Native children |url=https://calgarysun.com/2012/12/12/lack-of-fact-doesnt-stop-journalist-claiming-alberta-government-sells-native-children |website=Calgary Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206215804/https://calgarysun.com/2012/12/12/lack-of-fact-doesnt-stop-journalist-claiming-alberta-government-sells-native-children |archive-date=6 February 2013 }}</ref>

One of the veiled women interviewed in the report (who was not identified) claimed that her "aboriginal children were taken by a squad of 32 police officers." Another woman interviewed stated that "It definitely is a money-making scheme, because a lot of native children have been sold into adoption, but it is also used as an assimilation program [and] a genocidal program." The report also showed written messages of "Help me! Now!!", which were allegedly written by abducted children.<ref name=abduction/>

The allegations in the report were immediately denied by Government officials and Native leaders. [[Cindy Blackstock]], an associate professor at the [[University of Alberta]] and executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada denied the report was true, stating that "The factors driving aboriginal children into care have been well-known for 15 years; it's poverty, poor housing and substance abuse. ... The federal government provides significantly less funding on reserves than for all other Canadians ... but I have never in my life heard of any military undertones to this."<ref name=abduction/>

Blakeney has also claimed in reports published or broadcast by Press TV, that the appearance of Canada's new $20 bill was evidence that Canada "remained an imperialist nation" and that "90% of Canadian youth felt stressed about careers." Blakeney subsequently claimed that his reports for Press TV are "defiantly illuminating the skeletons in Canada’s closet."<ref name=target/>

Another report made several charges against the Canadian government, including:
* Secret plans to "steal indigenous children";
* "Ignorance of the First Nation land rights";
* Jailing refugees without cause; and
* using excessive force to suppress student protests.

Another program interviewed Alfred Lambremont Webre, who was described as an "international lawyer" based in Vancouver. Webre stated [[Canadian Prime Minister]] [[Stephen Harper]] is an "out and out Zionist" who is engaging in the "same repressive policies within Canada that Israel follows within its own territories against the Palestinian people." Webre then described a conspiracy between Vancouver police and serial killer [[Robert Pickton]] "to commit ritual Satanic murders with high-ranking politicians." Finally, Webre claimed that Queen [[Elizabeth II]] abducted 10 Aboriginal children in 1964. Concluding his comments, Webre described Canada as "the ultimate Zionist state under the British Crown and under Israel."<ref name=target>{{cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canada-iran-press-tv|title=Canada and its 'out and out Zionist' prime minister have become the latest target of Iran's Press TV|last=Hopper|first=Tristin|date=18 January 2013|work=[[National Post]]}}</ref>

In response, [[Paul Heinbecker]], a former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations and a distinguished fellow at the [[Centre for International Governance Innovation]] at the [[University of Waterloo]], has stated that Press TV is highlighting Canada's First Nations in order to "negate" Canadian reports of human rights allegations against Iran. Heinbecker stated that "The human rights situations in the two countries are scarcely comparable ... but our own very real shortcomings on Aboriginal issues ... are fodder for the Iranian efforts."<ref name=target/> Iranian native [[Payam Akhavan]], a professor of international law at [[McGill University]], stated that "Canada's diplomatic posture has elevated its ranking in the regime's demonology charts."<ref name=target/> Ed Corrigan, an immigration lawyer and former councillor for [[London, Ontario]], is a regular guest on Press TV. Corrigan, who has said that "There's very few people in Canada who have more expertise on Middle East politics than I do," argues that Press TV is demonstrating the "international opinion" of Canada's treatment of its native peoples, explaining that "We tend to forget about our conquest of North America ... but most countries in the world see it as a colonial exercise."<ref name=target/>

=== Coverage of the Russian invasion of Ukraine ===
Like the Kremlin, Press TV used Moscow's term "special operation" to describe the early days of the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|2022 war in Ukraine]]. It also used headlines describing [[Bucha massacre|massacred civilians in Bucha]] as a "fake attack" and "provocation" aimed at Russia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-iran-moscow-tehran-5438506fba2505fbcd227f93c533e86d|title=In Iran, Russia's war on Ukraine is a political flash point
|work=AP News}}</ref>

== Staff resignations==

=== Nick Ferrari ===
[[Nick Ferrari]], a British radio presenter on [[LBC]], resigned from his show on Press TV on 30 June 2009, following the response of the country's authorities to protests over [[2009 Iranian presidential election|the disputed Iranian presidential election]]. Ferrari told ''[[The Times]]'' that Press TV's news coverage had been "reasonably fair" until the election—but was not any longer.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fletcher|first=Martin|url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/england/london-travel/presenter-nick-ferrari-quits-iran-press-tv-over-bias-after-election-58rrrvntvp7|location=London|work=[[The Times]]|title=Presenter Nick Ferrari quits Iran Press TV over bias after election|date=1 July 2009|access-date=27 June 2020|archive-date=27 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627090828/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/presenter-nick-ferrari-quits-iran-press-tv-over-bias-after-election-58rrrvntvp7|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref> Ferrari admitted joining Press TV "was one of the dimmest career decisions of my life", although he also said he had not been pressurized to adhere to any particular line.<ref>{{cite news|last=Symons|first=Leon|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/press-tv-loses-key-guests-1.10214|title=Press TV loses key guests|work=The Jewish Chronicle|location=London|date=9 July 2009|access-date=27 June 2020|archive-date=27 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627195226/https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/press-tv-loses-key-guests-1.10214|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Hassan Abdulrahman ===
In September 2009, ''[[The Times]]'' reported that [[Dawud Salahuddin|Hassan Abdulrahman]], born David Theodore Belfield, one of the chief editors of the Press TV website from the beginning of Press TV's news department, had stated that he left Press TV as chief online editor in July 2009 after the election in protest at its skewed coverage of that event.<ref name="The Times">{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6820989.ece |work=[[The Times]] |location=London |title=Top Tehran TV journalist wanted by FBI for 1980 murder in the US |first=Richard |last=Kerbaj |date=4 September 2009 |access-date=22 May 2010 |archive-date=4 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904073320/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6820989.ece |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="thelede.blogs.nytimes.com">{{cite news |url=http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/just-another-american-hit-man-actor-and-journalist-living-in-iran/?hp |work=The New York Times |title=Just Another American Hit Man, Actor and Journalist Living in Iran |first=Robert |last=Mackey |date=16 September 2009 |access-date=22 May 2010 |archive-date=23 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923191609/http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/just-another-american-hit-man-actor-and-journalist-living-in-iran/?hp |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Jon Lee Anderson (30 September 2009). [http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2009/09/jon-lee-anderson-hassan-abdulrahman.html "Jon Lee Anderson: A Fugitive in Iran"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714153141/http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2009/09/jon-lee-anderson-hassan-abdulrahman.html |date=14 July 2014 }}. ''The New Yorker''.</ref> The ''Times'' quoted Abdulrahman as saying, "No, I don't think Press TV is about [real journalism]. By its nature, state journalism is not journalism. They have some programmes on there that might be, but generally it's not."<ref name="The Times"/><ref name="thelede.blogs.nytimes.com"/> In the article the ''Times'' also reported that Abdulrahman, who has also used the alias [[Dawud Salahuddin]], is wanted by the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] for shooting dead [[Ali Akbar Tabatabai]], a former press attache at the pre-revolutionary Iranian embassy in Washington, in 1980. The Iranian government provided Belfield money and airfare to Tehran after he committed the killing, which he admitted to in 1995.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gibbons|first=Fiachra|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2002/jan/10/features.fiachragibbons |title=Actor or assassin?|work=The Guardian|date=10 January 2002}}</ref> (However, he denied that it was "murderous", stating that it was "an act of war...In [[Islam]]ic religious terms, taking a life is sometimes sanctioned and even highly praised, and I thought that event was just such a time.")<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Silverman|first=Ira|title=An American Terrorist |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2002/08/05/an-american-terrorist |magazine=The New Yorker |date=29 July 2002|access-date=2 January 2022}}</ref>

=== Sheena Shirani ===
Sheena Shirani worked for Press TV from 2007 to January 2016 as an editor, producer and news presenter. She said that her news director Hamid Reza Emadi and studio manager Payam Afshar sexually harassed her for years, and published a recorded phone conversation with her boss Emadi. Press TV suspended both managers following the incident.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mortimer|first=Caroline|title=Iran's Press TV anchor says she was repeatedly 'sexually harassed by her bosses' for several years|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/irans-press-tv-anchor-says-she-was-repeatedly-sexually-harassed-by-her-bosses-for-several-years-a6861671.html|work=The Independent|date=8 February 2016|access-date=13 July 2020|archive-date=29 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629061430/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/irans-press-tv-anchor-says-she-was-repeatedly-sexually-harassed-by-her-bosses-for-several-years-a6861671.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Sanctions and restrictions==
On 26 June 2008, Florida congressman [[Gus Bilirakis]] proposed to declare Press TV, [[Al-Alam News Network]] and several IRIB-affiliated channels as a "[[Specially Designated Global Terrorist]] entity."<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Congressman seeks to blacklist Iran's Press TV|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/08/jul/1236.html|access-date=2020-10-26|website=www.payvand.com|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806211440/http://www.payvand.com/news/08/jul/1236.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2008-07-25|title=Iran: U.S. seeks to keep public in dark|url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/173906/Iran-U-S-seeks-to-keep-public-in-dark|access-date=2020-10-26|website=Tehran Times|language=en|archive-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716172010/https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/173906/Iran-U-S-seeks-to-keep-public-in-dark|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2010, the [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] government banned Press TV for airing video on the [[2010 Qur'an-burning controversy]] saying "We have decided to impose a ban on the airing of Press TV broadcasts by local cable operators. We appeal to the people not to heed unverified reports about the alleged desecration of the Holy Koran which have only been aired by Press TV and no other television news channel in the world."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100916061227/http://sify.com/news/indian-kashmir-bans-iran-s-press-tv-over-koran-ripping-news-national-kjobabgiahf.html "Indian Kashmir bans Iran's Press TV over Koran ripping"]. ''Sify''.</ref>

On 3 April 2012, Munich-based media regulator ''[[:de:Bayerische Landeszentrale für neue Medien|Bayerische Landeszentrale für neue Medien]]'' (BLM), announced it was removing ''Press TV'' from the [[SES (company)|SES]] [[Astra (satellite)|Astra satellite]], as they did not have a licence to broadcast in Europe.<ref name="TJP20120407" />

In October 2012, Eutelsat stopped broadcasting Press TV on the order, the channel said, of the [[European Commission]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Weinthal|first=Benjamin|url=https://www.jpost.com/International/European-satellite-axes-Irans-anti-Semitic-channels|title=European satellite axes Iran's anti-Semitic channels|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=16 October 2012|access-date=25 January 2021|archive-date=30 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130153038/https://www.jpost.com/International/European-satellite-axes-Irans-anti-Semitic-channels|url-status=live}}</ref> The following month, the Hong Kong-based [[AsiaSat]] took Iranian channels off air in East Asia. The [[Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting]] managed to resume broadcasts after striking deals with smaller companies that are based in other countries.<ref name="intelsat">{{cite news|title=Iranian channels dropped by Intelsat|date=2 July 2013 |work=[[Asharq Al-Awsat]]|url=http://www.aawsat.net/2013/07/article55308059|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705060529/http://www.aawsat.net/2013/07/article55308059|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 July 2013}}</ref>

[[Google]] blocked Press TV access to their [[Gmail]] and [[YouTube]] in April 2019; although the latter remained active no new content could be added.<ref name="Doffman2019ForbesContrib">{{cite news|last=Doffman|first=Zak|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2019/04/23/google-blocks-iranian-state-tvs-youtube-and-gmail-after-anti-israel-propaganda/|title=Google Cuts YouTube Access For Iran's Press TV And Hispan TV 'Without Any Warning'|work=Forbes|date=23 April 2019|access-date=15 June 2025|archive-date=29 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629193401/https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2019/04/23/google-blocks-iranian-state-tvs-youtube-and-gmail-after-anti-israel-propaganda/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=Articles by Forbes.com contributors are not regarded as reliable sources.|date=June 2025}} YouTube removed Press TV UK from its platform in January 2020. Press TV accused Google, which owns YouTube, of censorship. The Press TV UK channel appeared after the original was removed.<ref name="TmsLdn20200129">{{cite news|last=Moore|first=Matthew|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/youtube-deletes-iranian-channel-press-tv-uk-for-flouting-ban-gxz539v80|title=YouTube deletes Iranian channel Press TV UK for flouting ban|work=[[The Times]]|date=29 January 2020|access-date=29 January 2020|archive-date=29 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129033855/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/youtube-deletes-iranian-channel-press-tv-uk-for-flouting-ban-gxz539v80|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref> In April 2019, Press TV reported that [[Google]] blocked their access (along with [[HispanTV]]) "without prior notice, citing "violation of policies," and that they received a message saying "your Google Account was disabled and can’t be restored because it was used in a way that violates Google’s policies." Although their YouTube channels remain open, no new content can be published. Press TV claimed that Google "has refused to offer an explanation for shutting down the accounts," and that they have not violated any of Google's listed policies.<ref name="Doffman2019ForbesContrib" />{{Better source needed|reason=Articles by Forbes.com contributors are not regarded as reliable sources.|date=June 2025}}

On 15 September 2023, the [[United States Department of the Treasury]] added Press TV to the [[Office of Foreign Assets Control]] (OFAC)'s [[Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hussein |first1=Fatima |date=15 September 2023 |title=Biden announces more Iran sanctions on the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-mahsa-amini-treasury-biden-sanctions-30519121a72af1c256f8da5c1b60be80 |website=AP News |others=With contributions by Amir Vahdat, Jon Gambrell and Lorne Cooke |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918171737/https://apnews.com/article/iran-mahsa-amini-treasury-biden-sanctions-30519121a72af1c256f8da5c1b60be80 |archive-date=18 September 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 15, 2023 |title=Treasury Sanctions Iranian Officials and Companies Connected to Repression in Advance of the Anniversary of Mahsa "Zhina" Amini's Death |url=https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1733 |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=[[U.S. Department of the Treasury]] |language=en}}</ref>

===UK license revocation===
Maziar Bahari, by then a British resident, complained to [[Ofcom]], the regulatory authority for the telecommunication industries in the United Kingdom.<ref name="Morris" />

In May 2011, Ofcom ruled that Press TV was responsible for a serious breach of UK broadcasting rules by airing a 10-second interview with Maziar Bahari, accepting that it had been obtained under duress while he was imprisoned.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sweney|first=Mark|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/may/23/iran-press-tv-maziar-bahari|title=Iran's Press TV censured for interview with arrested journalist|work=The Guardian|location=London|date=23 May 2011|access-date=25 May 2011|archive-date=26 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826001139/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/may/23/iran-press-tv-maziar-bahari|url-status=live}}</ref> Ofcom held a hearing in July 2011; the Press TV delegation included two British politicians who have worked as presenters for the channel.<ref name="CST2011" /> A fine of £100,000 ($155,000 in January 2012) was eventually imposed in November 2011, reversing an initial decision to revoke Press TV's licence.<ref name="Foster">{{cite news|last=Foster|first=Patrick|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/nov/30/ofcom-iran-press-tv|title=Ofcom reverses decision to revoke licence of Iran's Press TV|work=The Guardian|date=30 November 2011|access-date=13 July 2020|archive-date=6 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706180053/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/nov/30/ofcom-iran-press-tv|url-status=live|ref=CITEREFFoster2011b}}</ref> The extent of the fine was partly due to Press TV continuing to run the interview after warnings from Ofcom that the station had broken the [[Broadcasting Code]].<ref name="Tms20111201" />

Responding to the decision, Press TV said Ofcom was "influenced by powerful pro-Israeli politicians and US sympathisers" and "members of the royal family and the government".<ref name="guardian141011">{{cite news |last1=Foster |first1=Patrick |title=Iran's Press TV accuses royal family of trying to take it off-air in UK |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/oct/14/iran-press-tv-royal-family-off-air |access-date=21 August 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=14 October 2011 |archive-date=7 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707211105/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/oct/14/iran-press-tv-royal-family-off-air |url-status=live |ref=CITEREFFoster2011a }}</ref><ref name="Foster"/> It maintained Bahari was an "MI6 contact person".<ref name="TJP20120407">{{cite news|last=Paraszczuk|first=Joanna|url=https://www.jpost.com/international/iran-slams-bbc-over-film-about-israel-relations|title=Iran slams BBC over film about Israel relations|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=7 April 2012|access-date=13 July 2020|archive-date=14 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714104140/https://www.jpost.com/international/iran-slams-bbc-over-film-about-israel-relations|url-status=live}}</ref> Defenders of Press TV, such as [[Geoffrey Alderman]] and the broadcaster's legal representative, Farooq Bajwa, referred to a [[United States diplomatic cables leak|leaked American diplomatic cable]] dated 4 February 2010. The cable said the British government was then "exploring ways to limit the operations of the IRIB's Press TV service" in response to the jamming by the Iranian government of broadcasts by the BBC Persian Service and the [[Voice of America]].<ref name="BBC20111229" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/247209|title=US embassy cables: Retaliation planned after Iran jammed BBC broadcasts|work=The Guardian|date=5 December 2010|access-date=13 July 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806135359/https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/247209|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Gdn20120124">{{cite news|last=Alderman|first=Geoffrey|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/jan/24/suppressing-press-tv-ofcom-licence?newsfeed=true|title=Suppressing Press TV is deplorable – Ofcom should restore its licence now|work=The Guardian|date=24 January 2012|access-date=13 July 2020|quote=Whatever one thinks of Press TV's output, it expressed a certain viewpoint that it is important for us to have access to, even if we find it at times repugnant. Its UK licence should be speedily restored.|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806135034/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/jan/24/suppressing-press-tv-ofcom-licence?newsfeed=true|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 20 January 2012, Press TV's licence to broadcast in the UK was revoked by Ofcom with immediate effect.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sweney|first=Mark|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/jan/20/iran-press-tv-loses-uk-licence|title=Iran's Press TV loses UK licence|work=The Guardian|date=20 January 2012|access-date=7 September 2015|archive-date=19 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150819005533/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/jan/20/iran-press-tv-loses-uk-licence|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/enforcement/broadcast-licence-conditions/press-tv-revocation.pdf |title=Revocation : Provider of the Service : Press TV Limited : Introduction |publisher=Ofcom |access-date=7 September 2015 |archive-date=22 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222230833/http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/enforcement/broadcast-licence-conditions/press-tv-revocation.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The investigation into the Bahari case had revealed the applying company's direct connection to Tehran, and that editorial control came from there. An invitation to change this in the licence had not been taken up by Press TV.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16652356|title=Iran's Press TV loses UK licence|work=BBC News|date=20 January 2012|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-date=30 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730043311/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16652356|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="DTel20120120">{{cite news|last=Blair|first=David|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/9028435/Britain-bans-Irans-Press-TV-from-airwaves.html|title=Iran's Press TV loses UK licence|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=20 January 2012|access-date=13 July 2020|archive-date=29 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629052239/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/9028435/Britain-bans-Irans-Press-TV-from-airwaves.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Geoffrey Alderman, who had appeared on Press TV to put the Zionist case, criticised the Ofcom decision, describing it as "thoroughly deplorable as well as palpably cynical" and "an affront to freedom of expression". He said the location of Press TV's editorial control had not changed since the licence was granted.<ref name="Gdn20120124" /> Press TV said Ofcom's decision was a "clear instance of censorship".<ref name="DTel20120120" /> However, it continued to broadcast in the UK via its YouTube and Facebook pages.<ref>{{cite news|last=Moore|first=Matthew|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/iranian-channel-dodges-ofcom-ban-with-online-television-shows-wr2rvfwt9|title=Iran broadcaster dodges ban by hosting ex-MPs in online show|work=[[The Times]]|date=22 October 2018|access-date=22 January 2021|archive-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416040624/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/iranian-channel-dodges-ofcom-ban-with-online-television-shows-wr2rvfwt9|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref>

===Website domain seizure===
[[File:Presstv Site Seized Notice.jpg|thumb|228x228px|Image placed after seizure by the Department of Justice.]]
On 22 June 2021, the presstv.com domain was seized from a company based in the United States by the [[United States Department of Justice]], shutting down Press TV's website and the websites of other Iranian media outlets.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Perez|first1=Evan|last2=Page|first2=Sharif|date=22 June 2021|title=US government seizes dozens of US website domains connected to Iran|work=CNN|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/06/22/politics/us-seizes-iran-website-domains/index.html|access-date=23 June 2021}}</ref><ref name=":0a" /> The Department of Justice said that these sites were sources of Iranian-linked disinformation and that proper licensing had not been acquired from the [[Office of Foreign Assets Control]] for the use of the domains.<ref name=":0a">{{cite web |last1=Debre |first1=Isabel |last2=Tucker |first2=Eric |date=23 June 2021 |title=US takes down Iran-linked news sites, alleges disinformation |url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-middle-east-03e651ff86918c871d9e1baaa5e30e37 |website=AP News |others=With contributions by Frank Bajak |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623193413/https://apnews.com/article/iran-middle-east-03e651ff86918c871d9e1baaa5e30e37 |archive-date=23 June 2021 }}</ref> Soon thereafter, the broadcaster changed the domain name for its website to use the [[.ir]] [[country code top-level domain|top-level domain]] and was back online.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/notices-iran-linked-websites-say-they-have-been-seized-by-us-2021-06-22/|title=U.S. blocks websites linked to Iranian disinformation|work=Reuters|date=23 June 2021|access-date=23 June 2021}}</ref>

==Support for Press TV==
In 2009, responding to [[Peter Wilby]], [[Dominic Lawson]] and other critics, [[Mehdi Hasan]], writing for the ''[[New Statesman]]'', argued that "engaging with Iran, no matter who is in charge in Tehran, is a prerequisite for peace and progress in the region. The very fact that Press TV is Iranian-owned makes it the ideal English-language platform on which to do so."<ref name="Book me a slot on Press TV">{{cite news|last=Hasan|first=Mehdi|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/international-politics/2009/07/mehdi-hasan-press-iran-british-channel|title=Book me a slot on Press TV|work=New Statesman|date=16 July 2009|access-date=2 November 2020|archive-date=3 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203114812/https://www.newstatesman.com/international-politics/2009/07/mehdi-hasan-press-iran-british-channel|url-status=live}}</ref>

American conspiracy theorist [[James Fetzer]], whose views have often been featured by PressTV and Fars News, has stated that "Press TV, along with [[RT (TV network)|RT]] and [[Sputnik (news agency)|Sputnik News]], have become the gold standard for reporting on international events and developments".<ref>{{cite news |title=James Fetzer: Talebzadeh's Students to Preserve World |url=https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14010230000648/James-Fezer-Talebzadeh%E2%80%99s-Sdens-Preserve-Wrld |access-date=October 16, 2019 |work=Fars News |date=May 23, 2022}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Iran|Television}}
* [[Media in Iran]]
* [[National Iranian Radio and Television]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}
*{{official website}}

{{Press TV}}
{{IRIB}}
{{World news channels}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Press Tv}}
[[Category:2007 establishments in Iran]]
[[Category:Antisemitic propaganda]]
[[Category:Iran–Israel proxy war]]
[[Category:Commercial-free television networks]]
[[Category:Conspiracist media]]
[[Category:English-language television stations]]
[[Category:Foreign television channels broadcasting in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Holocaust denial in Iran]]
[[Category:International broadcasters]]
[[Category:Iranian propaganda organisations]]
[[Category:Islam and antisemitism]]
[[Category:Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting television channels]]
[[Category:Mass media in Tehran]]
[[Category:Multilingual news services]]
[[Category:Press TV| ]]
[[Category:Khomeinist groups]]
[[Category:Qutbist organisations]]
[[Category:Sanctions against Iran]]
[[Category:Television controversies in Iran]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2007]]
[[Category:Domain name seizures by United States]]
[[Category:Iranian entities subject to U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctions]]
[[Category:Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List]]
[[Category:Conservative media]]