France's Eutelsat takes Press TV off air
2 Min Read
Following the West’s fueled riots in Iran, the European Union imposed sanctions on a number of Iranian institutions and individuals, including Press TV, over the pretext of "rights abuses."
-
'Press TV is and always has been state-funded by the Iranian Islamic Republic.' (PressTV)
Several weeks after the European Union imposed sanctions on the Tehran-based broadcaster, French satellite operator Eutelsat has informed Press TV of a decision to shut down the English-language news channel.
Following the West’s fueled riots in Iran, the European Union imposed sanctions on a number of Iranian institutions and individuals, including Press TV, over the pretext of "rights abuses."
According to experts, the EU and Canada's earlier penalties against Press TV are intended to stifle free speech and opposing viewpoints. Furthermore, the experts underlined Press TV's contribution during the recent riots, emphasizing how the news network exerted strained efforts to refute false narratives promoted by Western media.
It is worth noting that French satellite provider Eutelsat offers coverage of the whole continent of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. In terms of revenue, it is the third-largest satellite operator in the globe.
Not an isolated incident
Press TV was taken off the SES Astra satellite on April 3, 2012, according to a statement by Munich-based media regulator BLM. Press TV allegedly lacked a license to transmit across Europe.
While several Iranian satellite channels were taken off the air in East Asia by the Hong Kong-based AsiaSat in November 2012 and by Eutelsat and Intelsat in October 2012, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting was able to resume broadcasts after reaching agreements with smaller companies based in other nations.
Press TV was taken off the air in the UK in July 2013 after its license was revoked by the media watchdog Ofcom for allegedly breaking the Communications Act.
After the US Treasury Department announced sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, it was taken off the air in North America that same year.
Press TV was also removed from the Galaxy 19 satellite platform, which allowed it to broadcast in the United States and Canada.
The West has always prided itself on being a beacon of freedom of expression in the world, however, the same West has repeatedly banned Press TV and other Iranian media outlets for exposing a set of false narratives.
