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Iran destroys 100,000 satellite dishes

'What these televisions really achieve is increased divorce, addiction and insecurity in society' General Naghdi

Afp July 24, 2016

PHOTO: IRNA

TEHRAN: Iran destroyed 100,000 satellite dishes and receivers on Sunday as part of a widespread crackdown against the illegal devices that authorities say are morally damaging, a news website reported.

The destruction ceremony took place in Tehran in the presence of General Mohammad Reza Naghdi, head of Iran's Basij militia, who warned of the impact that satellite television was having in the conservative country.

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"The truth is that most satellite channels... deviate the society's morality and culture," he said at the event according to Basij News.

"What these televisions really achieve is increased divorce, addiction and insecurity in society."

Naghdi added that a total of one million Iranians had already voluntarily handed over their satellite apparatuses to authorities.

Under Iranian law, satellite equipment is banned and those who distribute, use, or repair them can be fined up to $2,800 (2,500 euros).

Iranian police regularly raid neighbourhoods and confiscate dishes from rooftops.

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Culture Minister Ali Jannati pleaded on Friday for a revision of the law.

"Reforming this law is very necessary as using satellite is strictly prohibited, but most people use it," Jannati said.

"This means that 70 percent of Iranians violate the law" by owning satellite dishes, he added.

Naghdi criticised Jannati's comments and said those in charge of cultural affairs "should be truthful with people rather than following what pleases them".

"Most of these satellite channels not only weaken the foundation of families but also cause disruptions in children's education and children who are under the influence of satellite have improper behaviour," Naghdi said.

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There are dozens of foreign-based Farsi satellite channels broadcasting mostly news, entertainment, films and series.

Conservatives regularly denounce the channels as an attempt to corrupt Iranian culture and Islamic values.

Moderate President Hassan Rouhani, whose four-year mandate ends in June 2017, has repeatedly said that the ban on satellite dishes is unnecessary and counterproductive.

COMMENTS (6)

Amjad Mehmood | 7 years ago | Reply Total madness of Iranian clergy, they can't bear new approaches and new scientific inventions, they shamelessly interfere in individuals personal life, choices, liking and disliking and impose their choices and ideology on helpless people some time against dress code, some time against make up of women, sometime in the name of respect of month of fast and latest is their childish war against dish antenas and recievers just because they enjoy absolute state powers and authority. People are equally responsible for their miseries because it was public who welcomed these morons against previous moderate rule of Shah.

Jaffar | 7 years ago | Reply Unlike cable TV system the problem with Satalite Dish system is that they cannot be censored or controlled to block any anti state programs, sexually vulgar or violent contents. We have cable system in Pakistan that is under control of PAMRA. Do we miss any thing ? In India they do not show Pakistani channels at all. Some censoring is every where. In most Arab countries they do not allow dish for TV viewing. However, in Iran, they are also selective about Internet watching, Iranians have to obtain state approval for Internet connection.