Regulation of Comprehensive Audio-Visual Media in Iran: An Analysis of Experiences, Challenges and the Desired Framework

Document Type : Research Article

Author

Assistant Professor of Cultural Policy, Research Center for Culture and Social Studies, Research Institute for Islamic Culture and Thought, Tehran, Iran

10.22059/jppolicy.2026.107829

Abstract

The transformation of communication technologies and the expansion of online media platforms have fundamentally reshaped the structures of content production, distribution, and consumption, creating new challenges in the field of cultural regulation. In this context, the concept of Comprehensive Audio-Visual Media (CAVM) has emerged as one of the key domains of media governance in Iran. The rapid growth of interactive media and video-on-demand (VOD) services has blurred the boundaries between producers and consumers, national and transnational content, and formal and user-generated media. Consequently, the conventional regulatory model—based on prior licensing and centralized control—has lost much of its effectiveness. This study aims to analyze domestic and international experiences, identify policy challenges in Iran, and design an appropriate regulatory framework. It adopts a qualitative approach and a descriptive–analytical method. Data were collected through the examination of official documents, academic sources, and semi-structured interviews with experts, and were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
The findings indicate that Iran’s current regulatory system faces institutional conflicts between the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the lack of enforcement of a comprehensive regulation law, and the absence of a clear definition distinguishing media services from user-generated content. Based on comparative experiences and the analysis of existing conditions, the study proposes a smart regulation model—a hybrid framework combining self-regulation, co-regulation, and state oversight—emphasizing transparency, accountability, stakeholder participation, and intelligent supervision. This framework seeks to balance media freedom, cultural responsibility, and technological innovation, paving the way for effective governance in the field of comprehensive audio-visual media.

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Public Policy
Volume 12, Issue 2
June 2026
Pages 269-285

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