US seizes Iranian, Middle Eastern broadcaster websites

7 July 2021

US seizes Iranian, Middle Eastern broadcaster websites

The US government has moved to seize the websites of Iranian and other Middle Eastern broadcasters and media companies that are hosted on domains owned by American companies. The US government says that the hosting is in violation of sanctions.

Each of the sites carries a large image (pictured) saying the it has been seized.

The sites include English-language Tehran-based channel Press TV, which within hours of the seizure migrated from presstv.com to an Iranian-hosted site presstv.ir.

The sites of Arabic language Al-Alam TV and Al-Kawthar run by Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB were also seized.

In addition, the websites of a number of Arabic-language TV channels broadcasting to Iraq have also been seized.

On 2 July, Press TV published a story attacking the US moves, claiming it is an “outrageous attack on foreign press”.

Entries pouring in for the 2010 AIBs

9 July 2010

As you will have seen, we have extended the deadline for entries to be submitted to the 2010 AIBs, the international media excellence awards, until 1600GMT on 16th July due to numerous requests. Broadcasters, content producers, providers of technology and others are responding to the extra time granted with large numbers of entries arriving at AIB headquarters every day.

So far companies in 21 countries have entered – from Argentina to China and from Australia to the USA. From phonecalls made to the AIB, we also know that many more entries are on their way.

It is particularly pleasing to see new companies entering for the first time – companies like KI.KA (Der Kinderkanal von ARD und ZDF) in Germany, TV Antena 1 in Romania, Russian Travel Guide Co Ltd Russia, Conker Media Ltd UK, Press TV Iran and eTV South Africa.

It is still not too late to enter if you are a producer or broadcaster of international TV or radio programmes (whether using terrestrial broadcasting, satellite, online or mobile) or if you produce the technology to power broadcasts, or if you run marketing programs for broadcasts (see the categories page on the website for the full list of different awards).

But with only one more week to the deadline, you will have to hurry so if you still want to enter go to the entries page for full details