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Jasmin Castillo Lucero Hernandez Kevin Horne Shannon McGuire Robert Quinn COMM 419, Section 001 Dr. Charles Elavsky April 26, 2013 The Iranian Media System and Its Elements The media system of Iran is inherently complex and often misunderstood. Through our research this semester, we have discovered and appreciated the uniqueness of the Iranian media complex and the many elements that act together to create consumable news to the citizens of Iran. We discovered that the Iranian media system was unlike any other system we have studied especially including the options we learned about in class. Its uniqueness should be appreciated for both the good and the bad, much like the country itself. The overlying principle in every category is the harsh and calculated censorship that exists. It creates a feeling of extreme distrust in the population and forces consumers to seek international sources for hard news coverage. Because of this worldly exposure, most Iranians are quite knowledgeable in international affairs and have a well-rounded worldview. This fact cannot be understated when analyzing the news system in Iran. The Iranian media system is living and always evolving. Its hard to forget the effects of the 2009 Green Revolution, which is still changing the Iranian media system today. The system is so vastly different than the United States and Czech Republic that it is hard to draw meaningful comparisons without being quite blunt or declaring a complete contrast. These are all principles to keep in mind as you explore the different categories below. Culture

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Persia, as Iran was known before 1935, was one of the greatest empires of the ancient world (BBC). Iranian people are very proud of their hard-fought right to obtain an individual cultural identity within the Islamic culture, which is reflected in their effort to maintain their own language and otherwise distinguish themselves from their Arab neighbors. Irans national language is Farsi, which is the most widely spoken of six languages inside the country. Iran is situated in southwestern Asia, covering an area of 1,648,000 square kilometers, which is slightly larger than the state of Alaska and twice the size of the Czech Republic. It is also the 18th most populous of the 196 nations of the world -- nearly 78 million people call Iran home (CIA). The UN estimated that 71 percent of the population lives in urban areas. Shia Muslim is the religion practiced by the majority of the Iranian population, with 89 percent considered practicing Shias. Sunni Muslims make up about 9 percent of the population in Iran and the remaining 2 percent come from other religions such as Zoroastrian, Christian and Jewish. Although almost 90 percent of Iranians are Shia Muslims, only 10 percent of the global population are considered to be Shia Muslims (Cultural & Information Center). Irans government is classified as an Islamic Republic. The president, prime minister and cabinet ministers must all be Muslim, and Chief Cleric, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomenei, holds virtually absolute power over all matters of state. Despite holding nine percent of worlds oil reserves, Iran currently faces high unemployment rates due in large part to international sanctions due to its human rights record (Freedom House). Traditional carpet weaving, still passed from generation to generation in certain regions, is both a cultural trait and an important export. Though crude petroleum accounts for 80 percent of Iranian exports, Iran also produces 10 percent of the worlds carpet.

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Unlike in the United States, education is state-funded in Iran from elementary school through university, and the curriculum is heavily religious. At the university level, every student is required to serve the government for the same number of years spent at the university (Culture of Iran). Iran has some of the most renowned cuisine the world. The traditional Iranian meal consists of bread, fish, rice, lentils and stew. If you get invited to someone's house for lunch or dinner, you are expected to bring something, such as a box of fresh pastries -- similar to the potluck custom in both the Czech Republic and United States. The country is currently going through a demographic transformation. Iran is very young -- nearly 60 percent of the population is under the age of thirty, and the government is working to birth fertility rates with rural healthcare networks and family planning programs. The changes in Iran have been possible due to the adoption of new values and attitudes concerning childbearing, family size and fertility control (OECD Statistics). This is important because of Irans history of rejection to the westernized ideas of globalization. Philosophies A countrys media philosophy is always evolving in order to facilitate the operations of the media system. Since the 1979 revolution, the Iranian government has been a unitary Islamic republic. Though elections are held for top political positions, like president, all real political power lies with the supreme leader, a position currently held by Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei. Iran's media system is reflective of its centralized, authoritarian government -- the state controls virtually all aspects of Iranian media (pressreference.com). It operates its media system according to a related ethnocentric social responsibility model. Content is strictly regulated to promote values, behaviors and activities that are seen as morally compatible with conservative Islamic tradition. Likewise, domestic and foreign media are censored to eliminate immoral influences, which often coincide with popular western trends prominent in media systems like that of the United States or Czech Republic.

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Iranian society, however, is among the most developed in the region. It is ideologically diverse, and very young (nearly 60 percent of its population is under the age of 30). Aided by ever-improving communications technology, Iranians increasingly find ways around state censorship to access the global media system. This has led to increased calls for liberalization, and the melding of globally popular media phenomena with traditional Persian culture (Babran & Ahadzqdeh). In a way, this media subculture has given a large portion of Iranian society a very well-rounded media experience, because it forces them to look at a variety media systems for information. Indeed, the worldview and perspective of Iranians is some of the most knowledgeable in the world. Regulation All media in Iran is dominated by state control and reflects official government ideology. Speech in Iran is heavily regulated, and limited freedom of expression is grounded in the countrys constitution. Most of television and radio broadcasting are firmly controlled by the constitutionally established State broadcasting monopoly IRIB (OpenNet Initiative). Any journalist or reporter that criticizes government on a public platform is in danger of imprisonment. Media content is extremely monitored when discussing certain topics, such as social harmony, sex, religion, politics and the western world. These restrictions are in stark opposition to that of the United States or Czech Republic, where freedom of the press and especially freedom for journalists is accepted and encouraged on all levels. The Constitution, the Press Law and the Iranian penal code combine to seriously restrict the role of media as a societal watchdog, essentially turning the system into a government microphone. These documents very specifically outline the definition of the press, its mission, its rights and limits and what exactly is required for moral and appropriate journalism, ending with an outline of what punishments a journalist may incur if they do not follow the code (Iran Human Rights Documentation Center).

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Journalism and news coverage is thus incredibly limited and incredibly biased, a fact that is recognized by Iranian citizens. Traditional interpretations of Islam and the values it encompasses establish what is deemed morally permissible in media. While media is also regulated for morality to a degree in the United States and Czech Republic by the free market, regulation in these states is not nearly as strict or narrowly defined. The medium of media that is most dominant in Iran is television, which is heavily regulated by IRIB according to state ideology. The government has decidedly less control over foreign broadcasts sent into the country via satellite. While satellite equipment is technically illegal for Iranian citizens, the use of it is largely tolerated, and most middle class Iranian households have satellite-broadcasting capabilities. Another dominant form of media in Iran is the Internet. Since accessibility to the Internet has increased over the past couple years, more news websites, political opposition blogs and forums have become readily available to the Iranian citizens, causing the government to tighten restrictions. The 2009 presidential election, in particular, caused uproar in Irans younger population and many bloggers and online activists took to the Internet as a platform to protest an event known as the Green Revolution. This caused the government to exercise authority over technical controls of the Internet such as filtering websites, limiting bandwidth, implementing legal and regulatory curbs and censoring certain political and human rights sites (Freedom House). The government also arrested many associated with the online opposition. Blocked sites include Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube, although Iranians generally find ways to mask their IP addresses to get around these restrictions. Regulating the Internet is one of the Iranian governments greatest concerns, because it is still a new, widely unexplored medium in the region (Free Press). The world- renowned Iranian film industry is also heavily content regulated by the IRIB, but this is the area to which the government seems allow the greatest degree of expression. Foreign films, which were previously illegal, are now imported into Iran but are

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heavily edited to eliminate objectionable content. Many times, women or alcohol are removed or altered from various scenes in imported films. There are many governing bodies that regulate and establish morality controls within the Iranian media system. There is the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution (SCRC) that sticks to preserving the Iranian culture and customs. The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance (MCIG) outlines the appropriateness of any type of media content. The Information Technology Company of Iran and The Communication Infrastructure Company filter objectionable content out of the limited amount of media that is imported into Iran (Council on Foreign Relations). Finance Iran relies on a mix of advertising and direct government subsidies to fund its media system. Although there have been attempts to establish private and independent media outlets in Iran, the 1979 Constitution of the Islamic Republic mandates that "all broadcasting must exclusively be government-operated. Iran has one of the least diverse media systems (in terms of ownership) in the Muslim world. Irans telecommunications industry is almost entirely state-owned, dominated by the Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI). Providers must register with the government and follow controlled guidelines. The major press outlets are state-run and attempt to prevent private newspapers from printing material that portrays anti-administration content or messages. All domestic television, Internet use, film, radio and print media are controlled and funded by the state media company, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting or IRIB. Regardless of the government control, Iran has a highly developed and quickly growing telecommunications industry. By 2012 Iran had a 100 percent mobile penetration rate, boasting one of the highest rates in the region. In contrast, only 36 percent of Iranians use fixed-line phones. Unlike in the United States, the majority of mobile subscriptions in Iran are prepaid users, who spend an average of eight American dollars per month for mobile services.

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The prevalence of advertising is not as visible in Iranian media as it is in the United States or Czech Republic. Advertisers are required to follow strict guidelines set forth by the state at all times. Advertisements that are seen as offensive, immoral or otherwise combative to the states traditional interpretation of Islam are pulled from the air, and their creators risk punishment and permanent bans (Advertising media in Iran). Persians because of cultural values and their generally high degree of education - are typically skeptical of advertisements on a whole. The United States also funds broadcasting into Iran. In 2008, $33.6 million was taken for Iran broadcasting which included $8.1 million for Radio Farda, and $20 million for PN, a Congressional Research Service. Analysts expect funding for radio and TV programming to continue as the US government competes for influence within the country (Kstzman). By the year 2000 there were 252 radios, 158 television sets, 219 telephone lines and 110 personal computers for every 1,000 residents in Iran. In 1998, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications began selling Internet accounts to the general public, who are required to pay a user a fee. By the end of 2009, Iran's telecom market was the fourth-largest market in the region. According to the BBC country profile of Iran, newspapers are controlled by either the state run IRIB or IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency). Accessibility Conventional wisdom would indicate that media in Iran has low levels of accessibility given the political culture and social welfare of the country, but that is not exactly correct. Iranians have a diverse selection of media to choose from, but the content of the media usually reflects the official state ideology, except for when citizens seek out international media, which is quite often the case in this period of censorship. Television is the medium that Iranians use to consume most of their news, with over 80 percent having access to a TV (BBC, 2012). While still relatively low compared to the United States, in which over 96 percent of citizens have access to a TV (Stelter, 2011). It

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has similar viewership rates as the Czech Republic (Czech Tourism, 2009). The biggest issue is what Iranians are allowed to watch, with extreme censorship policies that regulate much of the content. The supreme leader appoints all the heads and high-ranking officials of the various broadcast news agencies and they are strategically aligned with the propaganda machine of the Iranian government. Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting is the state-run broadcasting service that includes a variety of channels including the English-language Press TV that most Iranians have access to. There is a ban on satellite equipment, however, many Iranians risk using them to acquire other Western channels (BBC, 2012). Iranians are increasingly going online to consume their news. At last count, there were over 42,000,000 Internet users in Iran, or just over 53 percent of the population. Although relatively low compared to the United States (78.1 percent usage) and the Czech Republic (73 percent usage), Iranians still used the Internet 10 percent more than other Middle Eastern country (Internet World Stats, 2013). Internet access is becoming more affordable and easier to setup. It is also one of the least regulated media outlets in the Iran, comparatively speaking, with a plethora of political websites and user-maintained weblogs available to read online. Many of these blogs perpetrate propaganda for the government even President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad maintains his own blog (BBC, 2012). The Iranian government still has a stronghold on online media, however, with social networking websites like Twitter, Facebook and Youtube blocked throughout the country. There is a long list of Internet offences that the Iranian government maintains that it uses to arrest journalists. The country consistently ranks in the top five in the world for arresting journalists, with 46 documented arrests so far in 2013 and many more in exile (Reporters Without Borders, 2013). Ultimately, because the Internet is one of the hardest mediums to regulate, Iranians can acquire the most diverse palate of news available to them. Indeed, Iranians will often

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consume international media because of a distrust of their national media, which causes them to develop a much more rounded worldview than many Middle Eastern countries. The newspaper industry in Iran is weak and getting weaker, although nearly 100 daily papers that can be obtained in the country. Few Iranians buy a newspaper everyday, according to BBC. Despite the fact that the media is privately and publicly owned, the Islamic Revolutionary Court is in place to monitor print media and has the authority to shut down any journalist or news organization that is not acting what it determines to be in the national interest (CIA, 2013). Content The IRNA, Islamic Republic News Agency, is a government-funded and controlled agency operated under the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. From the IRNA, the government completely controls content and distribution to various news stations across Iran (Pars Times). News is disseminated through various forms of media including newspapers, broadcast television and various online mediums. Most Iranian newspapers are published in Persian, but newspapers printed in English and other languages are also accessible on a limited basis. Well-known daily and weekly Farsi newspapers include Ettelaat, Kayhan and Resalat. Iran Daily and Tehran Times are both in English (Kidon Media-Link). The stories in these newspapers are typically very state-centric, and tend to cast the Iranian government in the best light possible. These papers usually provide about 16 pages of news content. There are many similarities to American newspaper in formatting yet also many differences. The format of the printed version of the news mimics the standard formatting of most American as a broadsheet. The news provided on both Internet news sites and print versions of the news includes a lot of attention to military accomplishments and shows of strength. There is also a heavy focus on Iranian cultural events, like the Persian New Year (IRNA). In Iranian newspapers there is much less emphasis on advertising than seen in the

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US or Czech Republic (Library Press Display). Like the United States, most stories are very concise and not long-form journalism. There is often criticism about the United States, and its interference with Middle Eastern affairs. Iranians also have an affinity for sports, such as wrestling or football, and many publications are dedicated only to sports, much like in the United States (Sports Illustrated, etc.) Many of the bigger newspaper outlets also provide a mobile application that allows news to be viewed in that format. On the online version of major newspapers there is typically very little advertising (IRSA). These sites are otherwise structured similarly to their western counterparts. Most news websites include tabs like politics, economy and business, art and culture, sports, opinion, world, Middle East, Science and Tech, and Lifestyle. When looking at Internet sources for news, there is almost always an English translation (Iran Daily). With radio, most of the content is based on promoting cultural and local matters. There are many programs focusing on news and advice on health and social issues. There are also international frequencies that are available from France, India and the United States that provide opposing views to the state sponsored ideology, which the Iranian government attempts to jam, mostly unsuccessfully. There are few music stations available in Iran, but the government does approve music from a diverse variety of genres. Iranian radio is available for online streaming (IRANSEDA). Most of these stations are government owned, but privately owned stations are heavily regulated by the government. As with other media platforms, domestic television is heavily regulated and censored. Shows are based on cultural promotion, and promote themes approved by the state. Traditional Islamic garb is mandatory on television programs that violate this rule are often punished by state regulators. Many Iranian TV shows follow the formats of popular American sitcoms, game shows and dramas, though with heavily tailored content (WwiTV).

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For Internet use, an ISP must be approved by the TCI, and content-control software has to be installed on computers for websites and e-mail. ISPs can face penalties if they dont comply with the government-mandated filter list. The government provides a list to servers of certain websites to block. Sites such as Facebook, Google, Tumblr, and Blogger are blocked in Iran. Though citizens frequently access the uncensored, global Internet via VPNs, the government began blocking these, as well, in 2012 (OpenNet Initiative). Iran Media Content/News Reporting The overlying principal for journalists in Iran is that most of them are merely pawns of the state. The 94 daily newspapers are almost all subsidized by the government, which means cheap prices for Iranians and heavy content control (Michaelsen, 2008). According to a Reporters Without Borders study, Iran is in the top 5 for the number of journalist imprisonments, and journalists are constantly in fear of speaking out against the state for this reason. This fear for journalists is accentuated during election years especially for online journalists and bloggers many of whom were arrested during the heavily protested 2009 elections (BBC, 2012). Because of this, Iranian media stay clear of criticizing any government officials or programs, especially religious leaders. Most of the newspapers are conservative, such as the Tehran Times, to reflect the strong censorship placed upon it. In 2012 alone, 232 journalists were imprisoned, the second highest figure in the world (CPJ, 2012). Because of this, Iranian citizens are generally wary of content published in a newspaper or disseminated over the radio and television. There is little to no investigative journalism or at least anything that would put the government in an unfavorable light (BBC, 2012). To summarize, most news organizations even if privately owned implement selfcensorship policies to avoid finding themselves in the governments crosshairs. Journalists

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constantly work under fear and are generally not trusted. The Ahmadinejad administration has set back free media in Iran many years. This is perhaps the biggest difference between the media systems Iran and the United States or Czech Republic. In the United States, for example, freedom of the press is a coveted principle and important for public trust. Anytime a journalist is imprisoned in the United States, it is major national news. On the other hand, imprisonments of journalists in Iran are not reported by its media entities. Exports/Imports Due to Irans strict state-sponsored censorship, international transactions in terms of media seem relatively limited. Due to the proliferation of satellite technology and the Internet, however, the Iranian populace does have a degree of maneuverability around state censors. There does not appear to be too much import or export in terms of the domestic television market. According to the Tehran Times, Afghanistan and Tajikistan - which have relatively large Farsi-speaking populations - began airing an Iranian sitcom, And God Created Love, in 2011. Additionally, these three countries intended to launch a joint Television network together, though as of 2011, the project was delayed (Payvand, 2011). According to the IRIB and an Iranian research institute, an estimated 65 percent of Iranians watch satellite TV, which is a higher percentage than has access to the Internet. Several states broadcast Persian language news networks aimed at the Iranian public including England (BBC Persian), the United States (Voice of America Persian), and Israel (Kol Israel which translates to Voice of Israel). Iran jams these satellite signals regularly, so the networks move around to different satellites to avoid it. The downside to this practice is that some satellites reach fewer Iranian households than others. Private outlets also beam Persian language networks into Iran, including MBC Persia and Farsi. These networks broadcast dubbed versions of popular TV shows into Iran (the

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example given was Malcolm in the Middle). These channels are partially owned by Newscorp. Many Iranian expatriates also broadcast Persian language channels into Iran. Interestingly, the Iranian government largely tolerates the entertainment-based broadcasts. They are mostly concerned with jamming BBC Persian and Voice of America. The IRIB also broadcasts satellite channels to 45 countries, using at least eight international satellite companies (Sonne & Fassihi, 2011). Internet in Iran is increasingly regulated by the state, which blocks a lot of popular sites that offer Western influences like Facebook and YouTube. Initially, the Internet was seen as a tool to get around state censors. Iran also now blocks a lot of virtual private networks (VPNs) that citizens were using as a way around state censorship. It has to be selective in blocking VPNs, though, so as not to hurt its already struggling economy. Businesses and media also use VPNs, so the state focuses mainly on the ones used heavily by citizens (Esfandiari, 2013). This increased Internet regulation, however, is a nuisance in Iranians ability for Iranians to import outside media online. The one area that does seem to see a lot of legitimate, legal import/export movement is cinema. Iranians can view foreign films, which are of course censored by the state. They are imported with heavy alterations to dialogue and content. Alcohol, for example, is changed to juice or soda, sexual dialogue is altered or removed, and women are given more modest dress or in some cases completely removed (Esfandiari, 2012). Iran has a relatively "booming" domestic film market as well. Films are made under the guidelines of the state censors, but there does appear to be a degree of artistic license. Two Iranian films have been nominated for the best foreign film Oscar. In 2012, "A Separation" became the first Iranian film to win an Oscar when it won in that category. It also received a nomination for best original screenplay. It's worth noting, however, that despite this accomplishment the Iranian government largely condemns the Oscars. In particular,

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2013 Best Picture winner, Argo, caused a lot of controversy in Iran for an "inaccurate" portrayal of the country and the embassy situation (Grover, 2012). Audiences While Iranians look within and beyond the media of their country, they create an audience base for researches that compile information and patterns of behavior to comprehend the culture and its relationship to certain media outlets. As we know, how Iranians gather this information is adaptable, whether through accessible means or extra efforts. However, because of Irans strict standards on the content of which streams in and out of the country the government jams international radio broadcasts, bans television satellite dishes and censors all news (Ariel, BBC). Up to 65 percent of Iranians also have access to satellite television, opening the Iranian audience to a global array television networks. All Iranian broadcasting is projected through AM, shortwave, digital audio satellite and the Internet. Two major organizations, the BBG and Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) mainly control the imports and exports of media content between countries, both of them being extremely different from each other. The success of their radio institutions is directly linked to the professionalism and bravery of the staff and families willing to defy the intimidation from Iranian authorities. Despite censorship civilians are able to access information online, and the radio business online has peeked up to 46 percent and consists of 55,000 listeners. Radio Farda and VOA (Voice of America) are two of Irans major radio broadcasting stations that stream from other countries around the world (Babran & Ahadzqdeh). While Radio Farda illustrates more current affairs and daily Western and Persian interests, the VOA focuses on Persian language programs with a more news-driven format, transmitted the same way. The fledgling, yet growing movement of Azerbaijani music in Iran has acquired over 25 to 30 million listeners. Just a few years ago women weren't even allowed to perform on

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stage at all, and now women can be seen, revealed and glamorized in music videos, dancing and creating culture. Since Azerbaijani gained independence in 1991, the Araz groups consisted of both folk and modern versions of Azerbaijani music (Azerbaijan International). Audiences started becoming interested in new pop songs released in Baku as well. However, because of different culture tastes, the core Iranian music content remained consistent of history, heroes and culture. Love songs are unheard of, in fact, women names were replaced with words such as "flower" in order to avoid upsetting different demographics in the audience. The youthful generation never listens to music where their roots are from, and like the United States, are attracted to rap, rock, techno, and other modern rhythms. The same goes for the film industry in Iran. All concepts of original material must pass a filtration system that deciphers what the audience will watch. In the U.S. we focus mainly on entertainment, stage production, and effects, but in Iran their main concern remains true to the political, economical, historical and culture ties (Babran & Ahadzqdeh). To the Iranians advantage the government keeps prices low so all segments of the population at any economic level can have access to this pleasure and create larger audiences to market towards. The film industry easily has the largest audience compared to other media formats. The one industry that prides itself entirely on the audiences behavior is theater. Iranian theater consists of precisely historical and classical themes, focusing mainly on the emotional and spiritual connection with the audience based on traditions and rituals. It would not be uncommon to see members of the audience even on stage at some point through out the performance (Jenkins). Iranian theater does not make it into America easily because immigration authorities are more afraid of people staying for economic reasons, which is ironic because the Iranian culture focuses more on the social status of individuals rather than financial.

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In summary audiences in Iran are growing, finding new ways to reach outside sources, and becoming the most developed individuals with many different viewpoints one their own culture, and those of other developed countries. Conclusion The media system in Iran is as unique as it is misunderstood. As we outlined above, extreme censorship does exist. This should neither be condoned nor accepted in a free and just world. However, Iranian citizens are not oppressed in the time of media they consume. They recognize the censorship even accept it, in some cases and so they are encouraged to go outside of Iran to consume their media. This creates a society of inquisitive minds and a longing for the truth, wherever they can find it. It also creates a more adaptable worldview and creative spirit that is not shared by ethnocentric media systems like the United States, or worldcentric systems like the Czech Republic. Indeed, Iranians are required to find other means of information if they hope to learn about the world. The censorship is both a blessing and a curse. That is what we took away most from our studies and what ran through the arteries of every aspect of this project.

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