Excerpts: Iran works to control satellite conveyed news July 25, 2016

+++SOURCE: Naharnet(Lebanon)25 July’16:”Iran Destrys 100,000 Satellite
Dishes”,by Agence France Presse
SUBJECT:Iran works to control satellite conveyed news

QUOTE:” ‘The truth is that most satellite channels…deviate the society’s
morality and culture’(by Iranian general)”

FULL TEXT:Iran destroyed 100,000 satellite dishes and receivers on Sunday[24
July] as part of a widespread crackdown against the illegal devices that
authorities say are morally damaging, a news website reported.

The destruction ceremony took place in Tehran in the presence of General
Mohammad Reza Naghdi, head of Iran's Basij militia, who warned of the impact
that satellite television was having in the conservative country.

"The truth is that most satellite channels... deviate the society's morality
and culture," he said at the event according to Basij News.

"What these televisions really achieve is increased divorce, addiction and
insecurity in society."

Naghdi added that a total of one million Iranians had already voluntarily
handed over their satellite apparatuses to authorities.

Under Iranian law, satellite equipment is banned and those who distribute,
use, or repair them can be fined up to $2,800 (2,500 euros).

Iranian police regularly raid neighborhoods and confiscate dishes from
rooftops.

Culture Minister Ali Jannati pleaded on Friday[22 July] for a revision of
the law.

"Reforming this law is very necessary as using satellite is strictly
prohibited, but most people use it," Jannati said.

"This means that 70 percent of Iranians violate the law" by owning satellite
dishes, he added.

Naghdi criticized Jannati's comments and said those in charge of cultural
affairs "should be truthful with people rather than following what pleases
them."

"Most of these satellite channels not only weaken the foundation of families
but also cause disruptions in children's education and children who are
under the influence of satellite have improper behavior," Naghdi said.

There are dozens of foreign-based Farsi satellite channels broadcasting
mostly news, entertainment, films and series.

Conservatives regularly denounce the channels as an attempt to corrupt
Iranian culture and Islamic values.

Moderate President Hassan Rouhani, whose four-year mandate ends in June
2017, has repeatedly said that the ban on satellite dishes is unnecessary
and counterproductive.
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Sue Lerner - Associate, IMRA