Islamic Radio and Television Union
| Abbreviation | IRTVU |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2007 |
| Founder | Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance |
| Type | Media organization |
| Legal status | Active |
| Affiliations | Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) |
| Website | irtvu |
The Islamic Radio and Television Union (IRTVU) (Persian: اتحاديه راديو وتلويزيون هاى اسلامى) is an organization established in Iran that operates as a coalition of Iranian proxy media outlets across various countries.[1] Closely aligned with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), IRTVU serves as an instrument of Iranian soft power and ideological influence, particularly within the Middle East.
History and structure
IRTVU was established in 2007 by Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance to strengthen Iran's influence over regional media and to promote pro-Iranian narratives.[1][2]
The IRTVU is de facto run by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).[1][3] Officially, it is governed through three primary bodies:[2]
- Supreme Council – Comprising 13 members, as of 2021 chaired by Mudher al-Baka, general manager of Iraq's Alghadeer TV.
- General Secretariat – Based in Tehran, as of 2021 led by cleric Ali Karimian, who has strong ties to the office of the Supreme Leader of Iran.
- Permanent Committees – These include the political and news, training, production, technical and broadcast services, and radio committees.
As of March 2021, the organization had over 210 affiliated entities in 35 countries.[2]
Activities
IRTVU has been generally described as a propaganda or soft power tool for the Iranian regime and its regional militias.[4][5][6][7] Its content has been noted as promoting sectarian violence and division.[4] Notably, not all IRTVU-affiliated channels are directly controlled by the IRGC, with some being apolitical or not espousing the "axis of resistance" ideology of other IRTVU outlets.[8]
In August 2015, IRTVU launched a media certification initiative called "Halal Media", recognizing television and film productions that promote "pure" Islamic values. The initiative was introduced during the General Assembly meeting in Tehran and included participation from media entities in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey, Pakistan, and other Islamic countries.[9]
Regional affiliates
The IRTVU is most active in Iraq and Lebanon, but also operates in countries such as Yemen, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.[1]
Iraqi Radio and Television Union
The Iraqi Radio and Television Union operates as an Iraqi affiliate of IRTVU. It was founded in 2012 and held its first major conference in Baghdad in 2013. Its head, Hamid al-Husseini, is a cleric with close ties to the IRGC and Iranian leadership.[10]
The Iraqi branch supports several militia-run media outlets through funding, training, and logistical support, including those run by groups such as Kata'ib Hezbollah and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba.[10]
U.S. sanctions and website seizures
In October 2020, the United States Department of the Treasury designated IRTVU as a Specially Designated National (SDN) for being owned or controlled by the IRGC-Quds Force and accused it of spreading disinformation and influence operations.[11]
On June 22, 2021, the U.S. government seized 33 websites operated by IRTVU for violating U.S. sanctions. Affected sites included prominent Iranian state media like Press TV and Al-Alam.[6][11]
References
- ^ a b c d "The Islamic Radio and Television Union (IRTVU)". UANI. 2022-03-01. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
- ^ a b c Malik, Hamdi (2021-03-02). "Understanding Iran's Vast Media Network in Arab Countries". The Washington Institute. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
- ^ "Exclusive: Iran's Quds Force Media Arm Laundering Money In Iraq". Iran International. 2023-05-09. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
- ^ a b al-Omran, Faris (2022-03-01). "'Media terrorism': Iran's Radio and Television Union found inciting violence, division". Al-Mashareq. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
- ^ Dubow, Ben (2023-10-16). "Iran's Online Mouthpieces Celebrate Israel Pogrom". CEPA. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
- ^ a b Debre, Isabel; Gambrell, Jon; Press, Associated (2021-06-23). "U.S. takes down Iran-linked news sites, alleges disinformation". PBS News. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
- ^ "Iran-Hezbollah help Hamas, Islamic Jihad trounce Israel with propaganda". The Jerusalem Post. 2021-12-06. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
- ^ Malik, Hamdi (2021-06-29). "Iranian Website Seizures: Avoiding a Blanket Approach". The Washington Institute. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
- ^ "Islamic Radio and Television Union establishes Halal Media brand". Tehran Times. August 19, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
- ^ a b "Profile: Iraqi Radio and Television Union". The Washington Institute. July 5, 2022. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
- ^ a b "United States Seizes Websites Used by the Iranian Islamic Radio and Television Union and Kata'ib Hizballah". U.S. Department of Justice. June 22, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2025.