BBC Persian

BBC Persian is a British Broadcasting Corporation-owned television channel broadcast in Persian, targeting Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. The channel is part of the BBC World Service and is funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. BBC Persian works closely with other BBC services, including BBC News, BBC World News, and BBC Radio 4. The channel's headquarters are located in London, with additional offices in Washington, D.C. and Dubai.

● History

The history of BBC Persian dates back to 2008, when the British Broadcasting Corporation announced plans to launch a Persian-language television channel. The channel was launched on January 14, 2009, with a staff of around 100 employees, including journalists, producers, and presenters. The channel's launch was supported by BBC Director-General Mark Thompson, who emphasized the importance of providing independent and impartial news to Iran and other Persian-speaking countries. BBC Persian has worked with other BBC services, including BBC Arabic, BBC Russian, and BBC Spanish, to provide comprehensive coverage of global events, such as the Arab Spring and the Syrian Civil War.

● Programming

BBC Persian offers a wide range of programming, including news bulletins, current affairs programs, and documentary films. The channel's flagship program is Newshour, a daily news program that provides in-depth coverage of global events, including the Middle East peace process and the European migrant crisis. Other popular programs include Hardtalk, a current affairs program that features interviews with prominent politicians and public figures, such as Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, and Vladimir Putin. The channel also broadcasts documentary films, including Planet Earth and Blue Planet, which have been narrated by David Attenborough and Sigourney Weaver. BBC Persian has also collaborated with other BBC services, including BBC One, BBC Two, and BBC Three, to produce drama series and comedy programs, such as Sherlock and The Office.

● Controversies

BBC Persian has faced several controversies since its launch, including censorship and interference from the Iranian government. In 2012, the channel's signal was jammed by the Iranian authorities, who accused the channel of propaganda and inciting protests. The channel has also faced criticism from some Iranian dissidents, who have accused the channel of being too soft on the Iranian government. Despite these challenges, BBC Persian has continued to provide independent and impartial news to Iran and other Persian-speaking countries, including coverage of the Iranian presidential election, 2013 and the nuclear program of Iran. The channel has also worked with other international broadcasters, including Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, to promote press freedom and journalistic integrity.

● Reception

BBC Persian has received widespread acclaim for its independent and impartial news coverage, including praise from human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The channel has also been recognized for its high-quality programming, including documentary films and drama series. In 2014, the channel won the Association for International Broadcasting award for best news channel. The channel has also been nominated for several other awards, including the Emmy Award and the Peabody Award. BBC Persian has worked with other BBC services, including BBC News and BBC World News, to provide comprehensive coverage of global events, such as the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup.

● Availability

BBC Persian is available in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, as well as in other Persian-speaking countries around the world. The channel is broadcast via satellite, including Hot Bird and Eutelsat, and is also available online through the BBC website and mobile app. The channel has also partnered with other broadcasters, including Iran International and Manoto, to provide its programming to a wider audience. In addition, BBC Persian is available on social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, where it has a large following among Persian-speaking audiences. The channel has also collaborated with other international broadcasters, including Al Jazeera and CNN, to provide comprehensive coverage of global events, such as the G20 and the United Nations General Assembly. Category:Television channels