IRIB World Service
| Type | International broadcasting and digital media service |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Availability | International |
| Owner | Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting[1] |
Launch date | 1956[2] |
Official website | parstoday |
IRIB World Service, also known as the Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran and branded online as Pars Today, is the multilingual international broadcasting and digital media service of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).[2][3] Academic reference works describe IRIB as Iran's state-controlled broadcaster and identify it as the operator of a multilingual external radio service.[1]
History
The service traces its establishment to 1956. According to its archived institutional history, its original purpose was to introduce foreign audiences to Iran's history, culture, regions and historic sites. Following the Iranian Revolution, presenting the positions of the revolution and the ideals of the Islamic Republic became a prominent part of its stated mission.[2]
In 2016, IRIB launched Pars Today as a consolidated news agency for its international broadcasting operations. At the time of its launch, it offered programming in 32 languages.[4]
Services and languages
Pars Today distributes material through radio, websites and social-media services, with programmes also available through the internet and mobile devices.[5] Its output includes news and commentary about Iran, the Middle East and international affairs. An analysis published by Nippon.com described Pars Today as an IRIB-operated multilingual portal providing domestic Iranian news, regional coverage and reports on international affairs.[6]
A 2026 profile by State Media Monitor described IRIB World Service and Pars Today as broadcasting in approximately 30 languages.[3] Pars Today's own website lists Albanian, Armenian, Bengali, English, French, German, Hausa, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Kazakh, Pashto, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili and Turkish among its language services.[5]
A Turkish-language programme published by Pars Today identifies IranRadio as the media service presenting the podcast series.[7] IranRadio's website provides live audio, podcasts and video-on-demand content in 27 language editions. Its catalogue includes programmes concerning Iranian culture, history, literature, music, traditional stories and notable figures, together with Persian-language learning material.[8]
English-language service
The English-language edition provides news, commentary and audio programming for English-speaking audiences.[5] The service historically also operated Voice of Justice. A 2005 report in the broadcasting trade publication Radio World described it as an English-language Iranian government broadcast aimed at the United States and noted that it was available online.[9]
Role and analysis
A 2020 Atlantic Council report placed Pars Today among IRIB's principal foreign-facing initiatives and examined it within Iran's broader digital influence infrastructure.[4] Satō Masaru, writing for Nippon.com, characterised Pars Today as a state-controlled multilingual information portal used to communicate Iranian government positions to foreign officials, journalists and other opinion leaders.[6]
See also
References
- 1 2 Siddiqui-Ali, Sadaf; Fahmy, Shahira (2020). "Iran". In Merskin, Debra L. (ed.). The SAGE International Encyclopedia of Mass Media and Society. Vol. 5. SAGE Publications. pp. 856–858. doi:10.4135/9781483375519.n334. ISBN 9781483375533.
- 1 2 3 "About Us". Pars Today. Archived from the original on 31 July 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB)". State Media Monitor. 9 June 2026. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- 1 2 Brooking, Emerson T.; Kianpour, Suzanne (2020). Iranian digital influence efforts: Guerrilla broadcasting for the twenty-first century (Report). Atlantic Council. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 "About Us". Pars Today. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- 1 2 Satō Masaru (26 March 2020). "Public Communication as a Foreign Policy Tool: Lessons for Japan from Iran and North Korea". Nippon.com. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ "Hüzünlü nefes-12" [Sorrowful Breath 12]. Pars Today (in Turkish). 2 July 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ "IranRadio: The Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran". IranRadio. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ Careless, James (19 July 2005). "Site Airs 'Subversive' Broadcasts". Radio World. Retrieved 24 August 2026.