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فارسی | GAMAAN | The Group for Analyzing and Measuring Attitudes in IRAN

Report

Iranians’ Attitudes Toward Media ۲۰۲۳

September 8, 2023

Which television channels and radio stations are popular in Iran? Which social media are used, and where do people go to access news and information about the world? Find here the full English report and methodology of GAMAAN’s survey on Iranians’ Attitudes Toward Media – 2023.

SURVEY SUMMARY

  • The survey titled “Iranians’ Attitudes Towards Media 2023” was conducted from June 30 to July 9, 2023, over a span of 10 days. The results of this report are based on balancing and weighting a sample of 38,445 respondents from within Iran. The findings of this report reflect the perspectives of literate individuals above 19 years old residing in Iran (equivalent to 90% of the adult population of Iran) and can be generalized to this target population with a 95% credibility level and credibility intervals of 5%.

News and Information Sources

  • According to the survey results, 68% of the population “often” use social media, 35% satellite television, 12% state television, and 8% foreign radios as their primary sources for obtaining information and news about Iran and the world. On the other hand, approximately 47% have expressed that state television (IRIB) channels are never a news source for them.

Usage of Messaging Apps and Social Networks

  • In response to a question regarding the extent of usage of various messaging apps and social media, it was determined that approximately 65% of the population say they use Instagram “often”; 46% said the same about WhatsApp, 43% about Telegram, 17% about YouTube, 8% about Rubika, 8% about Twitter, 5% about Facebook, 3% about Soroush, and 2% about Clubhouse.

Media Preferences

  • According to the results of this survey, 54% of the population are “sometimes” or “often” viewers or listeners of Iran International. Manoto TV follows with 42%, BBC Persian with 37%, IRIB with 36%, and Voice of America Persian with 34%. About 32% watch GEM TV channels, and 30% watch MBC Persia. On the other hand, 48% of the target population have stated that they never watch or listen to programs from the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
  • Approximately 61% of those who speak Arabic at home are sometimes or often viewers of Arabic-language satellite channels. Additionally, 59% of those who speak Kurdish at home watch Kurdish-language satellite channels. About 37% of those who speak Turkish at home are viewers of Turkish-language satellite channels. On the other hand, 60% of those who speak Baluchi at home watch Kalameh TV.

Trust in Various Media Outlets

  • The survey results show that 50% have “a lot” or “to some extent” of trust in Iran International, 44% trust Manoto, 42% trust Voice of America Persian, and 40% trust Radio Farda. However, only about 21% of the population said they trust IRIB, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB); in contrast, 59% have stated that they have “no trust at all” in IRIB.

Media Sources for Recent Protests

  • In response to the question, “Which media outlets did you follow most for news about the recent protests in Iran?” 57% said they followed Iran International, 30% Manoto, 26% BBC Persian, and 20% Voice of America Persian. Additionally, about 19% stated they received news updates from IRIB.

Most-Watched Programs

  • According to the results of this survey, “movies and series,” “sports programs,” and “comedy programs” are the most-watched programs on IRIB. In contrast, “religious programs” have the lowest level of popularity.
  • Among the television programs on Iran International, Cheshmandaz Talk Show, with Sima Sabet, documentaries, and 24, with Fardad Farahzad, are ranked among the top three most popular programs of this media outlet. Additionally, Harf-e Akhar (Final Word), with Pouria Zeraati, and Titr-e Avval (The Lead), with Niusha Saremi, are among the other highly-watched programs on this channel.
  • For Manoto TV viewers, Otagh-e Khabar (Newsroom) is the most-watched program, followed by documentaries, Tunel-e Zaman (Time Tunnel), Manoto Plus, and SaliTalk.
  • Among BBC Persian viewers, 60 daghigheh (60 Minutes) and Aparat are the most-watched programs, with Bolour Banafsh and Pargar also having significant popularity.
  • For Voice of America Persian, Safheye Akhar (Last Page), with Mehdi Falahati is the most popular program; Khabar-e 9 Shab (News at 21) and Tablet, with Masih Alinejad, are other highly-watched programs on this network.