Persian (Farsi) is spoken by over 100 million people across Iran, Afghanistan (where it is called Dari), Tajikistan, and diaspora communities worldwide. Iranian radio has one of the most complex geopolitical histories in broadcasting: a state broadcaster inside Iran that operates under Islamic Republic restrictions, a large diaspora broadcasting community in Los Angeles and elsewhere, and multiple international services targeting Iranian audiences with independent journalism. Together they make Persian one of the most contested radio language spaces in the world.
IRIB: the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting
IRIB (صدا و سیما) is Iran’s state broadcasting organisation, controlling all domestic radio and television. It operates Radio Iran, Radio Farhang (culture and arts), Radio Javan (youth programming), Radio Quran, and numerous regional and provincial stations. Programming content is supervised under Islamic guidelines, with restrictions on music considered un-Islamic and on news critical of the government. IRIB’s external service broadcasts to Persian-speaking communities in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and the diaspora, as well as in Arabic, English, and other languages.
Diaspora radio from Los Angeles
The large Iranian diaspora community in Los Angeles — sometimes called “Tehrangeles” — supports a dense ecosystem of Persian-language television and radio stations broadcasting by satellite and streaming into Iran. Radio Sedaye Iran, Radio Iranglobal, and numerous other stations provide news, entertainment, and cultural content that is uncensored by the Iranian government. These stations are widely listened to inside Iran, where satellite dishes are technically illegal but widely used. Radio Farda, funded by the US government’s international broadcasting agency (like Voice of America), provides news journalism in Farsi.