Inside Story

Why has the US blocked Iranian media websites?

Tehran calls the US move to take down more than 30 state media-linked websites a ‘breach of free speech’.

Like many nations, Iran has media outlets broadcasting news to the world through that country’s perspective.

But the United States has accused Tehran of using them to spread misinformation.

The US Justice Department has seized 36 sites linked to Iran’s state media, such as the English-language Press TV and a channel used by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Tehran accuses Washington of double standards.

Why has this happened now?

And could this set a dangerous precedent for global censorship?

Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom

Guests:

Hamed Mousavi – Professor of political science at Tehran University

Courtney Radsch – Contributor at Tech Policy Press

Scott Lucas – Emeritus professor of international politics at the University of Birmingham