Iran: Satellite Dishes Seized

[ECH1969]

Hundreds of police in Tehran have begun dismantling satellite antenna dishes from the city's rooftops - part of a campaign to prevent Iranians from watching Western television programmes. The move follows a recent police order that all satellite dishes - officially banned but tolerated until now - be removed. The campaign against satellite television was launched by the Minister for Culture and Islamic Orientation, Hassan Saffar Harandi, who said "we have to halt the West's cultural offensive," on Iran.

Some observers believe that the clampdown is aimed at keeping the government's control over news regarding Iran's dispute with the international community regarding its nuclear programme.

The government on Tuesday reiterated its intention to respond to a package of incentives, devised by the permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, to persuade Tehran to drop its uranium enrichment plans.

In recent months, all news coverage on the issue in Iran has had to be done with the approval of the Supreme Council of National Security, prompting people who wish to be informed by non-government sources to watch and listen to television and radio programmes broadcast from abroad.

http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level_English.php?cat=CultureAndMedia&loid=8.0.330976758&par=

[babylonsister]

1. I don't imagine the young Iranians will like this too much.

And I wonder how credible this source is (meaning no disrespect to the OP)?

[eccles12]

2. Seems to me that Iran might be preparing for something more onerous

and wants to keep communication outside to a minimum.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. they have the fool measure of one dick Cheney.

he is the danger to the entire globe. Can't blame them for taking precautions. they know what is coming - global war, with the US military as the enemy.

[cali]

8. Cheney is one danger.

He's hardly the only one, and yeah, I have no problem blaming them for draconian measures. I criticize this country and I feel every bit as free to criticize others. As for a global war being around the bend; it's not. The factors that would enable such an event aren't in place, and are unlikely to be in place soon.

[0007]

13. Seems to me that a first class propaganda scheme is on the move..

Perhaps the Christian right would see an entailing obligation that would exceed advantages led by junior and his thugs.

[Eric J in MN]

4. If George W. Bush hadn 't put in a word for the opponent

...of the current Iranian president before the election, maybe the moderate would have won, instead.

[w4rma]

5. The right-wing fundies won the election in 2005 by fighting Bush's Iraq

misadventure. If not for the neo-con invasion, Iran would have moved towards more freedom.

[msongs]

6. is george w bush the new president of iran? or was it cheney's idea? nt

[ConcernedCanuk]

7. Sounds like a good idea to me - stopping the PNACer's propaganda

.
.
.

Hey

There are great Westerns, Crime Dramas and so on

but that's the "loss-leader" of propaganda

bait and switch

then you get hit with CNN, FOXNews, and so on that are just extensions of the PNACer's agenda

USA is the home of the "FREE" ??

I don't think so

The taxpayers of the USA are as much slaves as the ones they brought over on boats from Africa up until a century ago.

The PNACers just make you a wee bit more "comfortable " with your TV shows where they can brainwash you while you have your 6-pack that you had to work a whole week to afford.

They don't beat your back, your legs, your arms much anymore . .

But they are KILLING your spirit.

"Mission Accomplished"

(sigh)

[AlCzervik]

9. this is not new, my bil was born in Iran and they do sweeps every

now and then and take all the dishes that can be seen.

[kineneb]

10. Iranian view of such laws

From personal experience, the people of Iran have always played a "cat & mouse" game with the authorities (doesn't matter which ones). They push to see how much they can get away with, and then the government tries to crack down, knowing that it can't possibly eliminate the problem. It amounts to a national sport: "get one over on the authorities". The concept of rule by law/constitution is a fairly recent one, given the history of emperors and kings in the region.

The Islamic Republic has had an impact on everyday life, but in some ways, only a superficial one. Those dishes will get replaced, but disguised as something else- a garbage can, heater vent, etc. Out in the countryside, people disguise them as bushes or other objects.

I bet Cyrus is muttering to Miriam something to the effect of "Well, got to hide the dish for a while, until the blasted idiots get over this fit."

[daleo]

11. This happens in North America too

When you don't pay your bill.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

12. ...or the government line is pumped directly into the house.

No need to remove the satellite then.

[daleo]

14. My local cable company has been showing Fox news on their preview station

I had read plenty about it on DU, but there is no substitute for seeing the dreck with your own eyes.