The Advent and Development of Radio in Iran

The Advent and Development of Radio in Iran^[1]

Bigan Kimiachi

Administration and Technological Development

Long-distance communication in Iran began with the advent of the wired telegraph and the wireless telegraph, and in this respect progress from a simple telegraph communication system to a complex broadcasting network followed the same path as in most other countries.

In the early days of radio some European broadcasts could be received in Iran by a few receivers imported from Europe by visiting Iranians. Because of political circumstances, the broadcasts of neighboring countries were not especially friendly; however, those Iranians who had travelled in Europe mentioned radio and its functions to others upon their return to Iran. At the same time the use of the phonograph and disc records was gaining in popularity. The need for radio, therefore, became more noticeable. In September 1934, the Cabinet of Ministers passed a law permitting merchants to import radio sets, and people to install antennae atop their houses after they obtained a permit from the Ministry of Post, Telegraph, and Telephone. The Ministry was commissioned to conduct a study and to submit a proposal for the establishment of a radio broadcasting system in Tehran. This action finally led to the establishment of radio broadcasting in Iran.

In 1937, the primary steps toward the establishment of Iran’s radio broadcasting system were taken. A proposal from the Minister of Post, Telegraph, and Telephone was submitted to His Majesty Reza Shah, and, upon its approval, the order was given for work to begin on the installation of transmitters in Tehran and in a number of provinces. The first equipment consisted of one two-kilowatt medium-wave transmitter to cover Iran and broadcast to neighboring countries. In addition, ten one-kilowatt transmitters were installed in provinces to broadcast locally but mainly to relay the programs of Radio Iran in Tehran. These transmitters were purchased from the Telephone Company of England.

Low-power transmitters were purchased at the suggestion of Iranian engineers. They reasoned that with Iran’s geographical barriers and the existence of vast non-populated areas between the cities, the country would best be served by several transmitters. They also thought it would be better if the provinces were to receive their programming from Tehran, the capital city. Although Reza Shah had ordered the purchase of more powerful transmitters, he accepted the engineers’ suggestion. The first broadcasts of the new system were beamed to Tehran and districts in Iran; eventually broadcasts also reached neighboring countries.

On April 24, 1940 Radio Iran was formally inaugurated in Tehran by Shahanshah Aryamehr, then Crown Prince. The first radio station, where the ceremony took place, consisted of a small room with only basic instruments for simple broadcasting; today it is preserved in its original condition.^[2] After the normal inauguration the Iranian national anthem was broadcast—an event that made a great impression on the people. The prime minister, Mateen Daftary, then sent a message expressing good wishes and appreciation to His Majesty the Crown Prince and promised Is the people that radio would be established as a source of news, information, and entertainment for the general public. He also announced that centers in various parts of Tehran would be established where loud speakers and radio receivers would be provided for the general public to listen to broadcasts free of charge.

Radio Iran was under the supervision of the Ministry of Post, Telegraph, and Telephone for its first two years. In 1942 the Department of Publication and Propaganda was established and was given control of Radio Iran. The Ministry, however, remained in charge of and responsible for providing engineering staff and maintenance of the equipment.

Previously, in 1941, the Cabinet of Ministers had approved a proposal for the technical expansion and improvement of Radio Iran. The Department of Publication and Propaganda was amalgamated with the Ministry of Labor, being newly titled the Ministry of Labor and Propaganda. But the merger only lasted a year, at which time the Department of Publication and Propaganda was put under the administration of the Office of the Prime Minister.

Eventually, during the 1950s, the Department of Publication and Propaganda gained more independence and self-control. This was due to its rapid expansion, a significant improvement and increase in its programming, activities, and a nation-wide expansion plan that included Tehran and other cities and provinces throughout the country. Under this plan, several powerful short-wave transmitters were to be added to the already existing facilities of the Department of Publication and Propaganda in Tehran.^[3]

Along with the expansion of radio broadcasting in Tehran several other radio stations were also established in a number of cities and provinces. In 1946 Radio Tabriz was put into operation with a 100-kilowatt medium-wave transmitter. Interestingly enough, in both radio as well as telegraph development, Tabriz was the first city after Tehran to have a station. By 1960 there were ten radio stations in operation in major cities and provinces beside the ones in Tehran. Initially many of these provincial stations were using the army transmitters for their broadcasting, but they were gradually replaced with more modern and powerful equipment and became independent of the army.

A new era of marked development began in 1961. By then, there were in operation two short-wave transmitters, one of 250-kilowatts and the other of 350-kilowatts, both of which were installed in Kamalabad, Tehran. Other major cities and province transmitters were established immediately after those already in operation. These provincial radio stations are described later in this article.

Radio Iran during the 1960s experienced a great deal of improvement and technical advancement. In 1960 a new division called Radio Tehran or Program II was added to the services of Radio Iran. The new division broadcast from a 100-kilowatt medium-wave band. ^[4] In 1963 the Department of Publication and Propaganda was given full status as a ministry and was retitled the Ministry of Information.^[5] Under the Ministry of Information, Radio Iran gained further independence and was expanded even more. In 1973, the total transmission power of radio stations in Iran was 7,710 kilowatts (see Table 3).

TABLE 3

RADIO TRANSMITTERS IN IRAN

For Selected Years, 1940-73

*In most centers, there was also a stand-by transmitter. Such transmitters are not included in the totals.

Commercial Affairs (Tehran: NIRT, 1974), 23.

In 1967 Iran’s first FM station was established and put into operation in Tehran with a ten-kilowatt transmitter. In 1971 a second FM station with ten-kilowatt transmission power was established in Ahvaz with a 250-watt power, Kermanshah with a 250-watt power, and Shiraz with a one-kilowatt transmitting power. In 1971, however, a major reorganization of Radio Iran under the Ministry of Information took place when the thirty-year-old Radio Iran merged with the newly established but already powerful National Iranian Television,^[6] forming the National Iranian Radio and Television.^[7] National Iran Radio and Television (NIRT) will be discussed elsewhere. In 1972 two new FM stations were established in Tehran with ten-watt transmitting power to transmit original soundtracks of foreign films shown on television for the benefit of foreign residents of Iran. By 1974 there were nearly twenty FM stations (see Table 4) and over thirty AM stations in operation in various parts of Iran. Additional radio stations have been established since 1974 in many locations to complete the nation-wide radio network and to provide a full coverage (see Table 5).

TABLE 4

FM Stations From 1969-1974

TABLE 4 (continued)

1974 Report (Tehran: NIRT Publication Department, 1974), p. 8.

TABLE 5

Radio Transmitters in the Provinces,

By Date of Establishment*

TABLE 5 (continued)

*Radio transmitters from 1973-76 are only partial.

Commercial Affairs (Tehran: National Iranian Radio and Television, May, 1974), p. 7.

Finance

Since its inception, Radio Iran has been operated, controlled, and financed by the Iranian government. Its early budgets after World War II, due to the general economic conditions of the country, were not sufficient. In 1940 the budget for Radio Iran was 12,570,000 rials (approximately $167,000).

In the following years, the budget was decreased to almost half of the 1940 amount. In 1949 the budget was increased to little more than what it was in 1940. Although the budget increased every year at a constant rate, it was not until 1959 that the budget of Radio Iran had increased significantly and was 101,669,000 rials (approximately $1,355,586). This increase, however, continued until 1971 when Radio Iran merged with NITV and enjoyed a more adequate budget (see Table 6).

The budget of Radio Iran has been provided mainly by the government, but commercial advertising has also provided a substantial income. Comparing the expansion pattern of Radio Iran (see Table 6) with the budget, it seems that prior to 1950, the budget was insufficient and naturally the developments were insignificant. On the other hand, during the 1960’s the budget was sufficiently increased, resulting in more technical improvements and an expansion of facilities.

TABLE 6

RADIO IRAN’S BUDGET
(1940-1971)

Iran Communication and Development Institute (Tehran:1977)

Since 1971, the budget of Radio Iran is furnished from the general budget for NIRT. Under the new organization radio has expanded even more and at a more rapid pace. Details of the NIRT budget are presented elsewhere.

Personnel

The early technical personnel of Radio Iran came from the Wireless Telegraph Department. For nearly a decade, the programs were broadcast from a small studio in the wireless station located in northern Tehran while the offices of Radio Iran were in the center of Tehran some ten miles away.

Early in the 1930s, under the supervision of the minister of education, the “Organization for Developing the Public Opinion”^[8] was formed. The organization, which consisted of a number of top Iranian writers, was commissioned to provide programming materials and necessary personnel for Radio Iran. The organization had a number of divisions, each commissioned for a special task. The Division of Radio was commissioned to provide announcers for Radio Iran. An audition was, therefore, held with 160 participants from whom several men and women were chosen as Radio Iran’s first Persian announcers. In addition to announcers for Persian programs, ten announcers were also chosen for the foreign language programs of Radio Iran. The Division of Radio was supervised by the minister of finance.

The Division for Music, under the supervision of the director of the Department of Music, was commissioned to provide an adequate orchestra for Radio Iran’s musical programs. The director held a number of sessions to prepare musicians to form Radio Iran’s orchestra. In addition, ten Czech musicians were hired to train Iranian musicians to perform classical music on Radio Iran, and to perform in the Tehran Symphony Orchestra.

The performers, talent, and musicians who came to work in Radio Iran were basically from theater houses, passion-play houses, and music halls. Most of them lacked formal training in their field, although they were professionals. Radio Iran, therefore, established a number of training classes for various purposes. These classes consisted of training for technicians, engineers, and equipment operators. Radio Iran also provided training classes in announcing and dramatic reading as well as singing and music. These classes, along with the increase of people’s awareness of radio’s function in providing information and entertainment, resulted in the creation of a sufficient body of personnel for various areas of Radio Iran.

Programming

As previously mentioned, Radio Iran was formally inaugurated on April 24, 1940, by His Majesty Shahanshah Aryamehr, then the Crown Prince. After airing the formal inauguration, news of the ceremony was broadcast in Arabic, English, Persian, French, German, Russian, and Turkish. A program of Iranian music followed.

Beginning the next day Radio Iran broadcast regularly from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 5:15 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily. The eight-andone-half hours of broadcasting consisted primarily of news in Arabic, English, Persian, French, German, Russian, and Turkish. Western and Iranian music was also a major component in Radio Iran’s programming. The general public often did not have the opportunity to enjoy listening to music performed by famous musicians or orchestras. Only the rich could afford to hire singers and musicians for wedding ceremonies and banquets or to go to the theater houses and music halls. In most places women were not allowed to sing or play instruments. Radio made it possible for musicians and singers and other artists to present themselves to the public. Women found it easier to sing and play on the radio and, therefore, were encouraged to participate more openly. Radio also provided a source of entertainment for people to enjoy Iranian music openly and free of charge. Listeners were thrilled with the Iranian music they heard from the magic radio box.

There are stories that when Iranian music was being broadcast people gathered around radio sets in public places and qahvahkhanahs (tea houses) and took work breaks. Droshky (buggy) drivers did not accept riders when Iranian music was broadcast. Radio Iran in many respects has contributed to the promotion of Iranian culture and music.

Radio Iran’s programming also consisted of some talk shows, soap operas, and dramatic readings from the Shahnamah. The dramatic readings from Shahnamah were done by naqqals (narrators) and inspired a sense of nationalism in the listeners. Historical events and folk stories were presented as radio dramas. Such programs have continued until today with a great number of listeners and are among the most popular radio broadcasts in Iran. The use of sound effects, theatrical reading, and music adds to the impact of these programs which fill the hearts of the listeners with joy or bring tears of sorrow to their eyes.

In the early years of radio in Iran, programs were broadcast live, except for recorded music. The disc records were produced by American and European recording companies, especially by RCA Victrola. Live programming was often accompanied by technical difficulties. Lack of pre-recorded programs and inadequate transportation facilities to bring the musicians to the studio often resulted in interruptions in programming.

In 1949 two Telefunken tape recorders were purchased, but because of a shortage of tape they could not be used. After the War, a number of RCA tape recorders with wire tapes were purchased. However, they were not dependable and, therefore, most of the programs were still broadcast live.

The main role of radio programs was to inform and entertain the Iranian people. Radio Iran from its inception has undertaken the important tasks of promoting Iranian culture and creating a sense of liberty, independence, and mirth. The programs of Radio Iran during World War II and after were designed to maintain the neutrality of Iran among the nations of the world.

Eventually, Radio Iran expanded its facilities and increased its broadcasting time. The programs of Radio Iran or Voice of Iran were soon received nationwide in Iran, in neighboring countries, as well as in some Western countries. In 1960 Radio Iran began to broadcast twenty-four hours a day. Radio Tehran, or Program II, was also established as a new division, mainly to cover Tehran and surrounding areas. Soon most cities in the country were able to receive the Radio Tehran’s programs. In 1967, FM and FM stereo broadcasting were added to the service of Radio Iran. In 1971, Radio Iran was merged with National Iranian Television, which resulted in further improvements in programming and coverage. The number of radio sets, which did not exceed 1,000 in 1941, was estimated at 6,800,000 in 1966, and increased to 10,000,000 in 1974. Radio programming under the new organization enjoyed expansion in coverage and an increase in broadcast time.

Program I

Similar to the British broadcasting system, Radio Iran consists of two programming centers, Voice of Iran or Program I, and Radio Tehran or Program II.^[9] Program I is broadcast twenty-four hours a day on several medium-wave transmitters.

A 100-kilowatt medium-wave transmitter, located in the Pahlavi Wireless station in northern Tehran; a 2,000-kilowatt medium-wave transmitter in Dasht-i Qazvin; and a medium-wave 300-kilowatt transmitter in Kamal Abad, Tehran, broadcast the programs of Program I throughout Iran and to some neighboring countries via microwave and satellite^[10] (see Figure 4). From 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., via a 250-kilowatt short-wave transmission located in Kamal Abad, Tehran, Program I broadcasts programs which are received in European countries, the United States, and North Africa. From 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 midnight, Program I is beamed from Kamal Abad, Tehran to Europe and to the United States on a short-wave 250-kilowatt transmitter. From 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., a 100-kilowatt short-wave transmitter broadcasts a special program for those countries near the Persian Gulf. Program I is broadcast from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. the next day for Europeans and Americans. From 10:30 p.m. to 12:00 midnight, programs are designed for Iraq and Syria and transmitted by a 100-kilowatt short-wave (see Appendix A for sample programming for a selected week).

Fig. 4

The Voice of Iran Program is intended for the general public and is designed to suit all ages and educational backgrounds. Program I consists of various types of programs designed for a variety of interests—children, youth, women, workers, farmers, and various minorities. These programs are produced in the Radio Iran production centers by various groups of writers, poets, psychologists, sociologists, technicians, and experts for each form of program. The programs are intended to entertain, inform, educate, and, above all, to promote and safeguard Iranian culture.

Almost everyone can find some program to enjoy on Radio Iran. There is news on the hour which includes national, international, political, and sports reports. Children and youth have their special programs in which they perform as announcers and/or talent. Since these programs are performed by their peers, they are most likely to be effective and to have a greater attraction.

Workers also have a special program on Radio Iran. It is designed to entertain and inform the workers and is aired at 12:30 p.m., while most workers are on their lunch break. Consequently, a great majority of them listen to it. Talented workers can perform on their program. Labor laws are discussed on this program and different situations in which workers and management disagree are dramatized. As a result, workers learn the laws and, furthermore, they learn how and where to go in case they have problems with their employers.

Radio Iran also serves the needs of the nation’s farmers by producing agricultural programs. Since the majority of farmers in the country are not educated in the science of agriculture, Radio Iran, through a variety of programs, assists them in learning about farming, cattle raising, animal husbandry, and even how to sell their products. In 1967, the farmer’s program won the first prize in an international competition held in Tokyo, Japan.^[11]

Among the Program I features is an unusual and rather interesting service provided for the public free of charge. Because of the shortage of transportation and inadequate emergency services in Tehran, Radio Iran monitors all emergency calls and provides the necessary assistance from 12:00 midnight until 7:00 a.m. During this time, emergency services such as hospitals, fire departments, police, and even taxis are tuned to Radio Iran’s all-night programs. In case of any emergency, those involved can simply call Radio Iran at an easy telephone number to remember (27-000). Radio Iran then broadcasts the information over the air. At this time either the police, the nearest taxi, or volunteers who are near the site of the incident can assist people in trouble. This program has created a communication network similar to that of American Citizen Radio Broadcasting (CB Radio) and has been in service since 1960.

Since Fridays in Iran are the weekend holiday similar to Sundays in the United States, Radio Iran presents special programs which have a large audience. The programs are specially produced and include a variety of music, talk shows, dramatic readings, and radio dramas.

Radio Iran is linked to all major radio stations throughout the country by relay stations and microwave communication systems. In 1971 Radio Iran merged with National Iranian Television, a move which placed all of Radio Iran’s programming under National Iranian Radio and Television.

Program II

Program II, also called Radio Tehran, operates on a medium-wave 200-kilowatt and FM, 10-kilowatt, transmitter from its main broadcasting center in Tehran. Program II airs from 6:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. daily, except for Fridays when it begins at 7:00 a.m. and continues until 1:00 a.m. The programs are intended primarily for listeners in Tehran and surrounding towns and cities; however, because of interest in the programs, they are also transmitted to a number of other cities throughout Iran. While the programs of Program I are intended for the general public, the programs of Radio Tehran, or Program II, are designed for a comparatively more sophisticated audience. The listeners to this Program are predominantly high school and college students, the intellectual elite, and families with higher education. Of course, it is available to other sectors of society as well.

The programs consist of a variety of interesting subjects. They are produced in the Radio Tehran production center by a group of highly educated writers, and specialists in the field of radio programming. They are backed up by a group of skillful engineers and technicians. The programs are in Farsi, and offer Iranian and Western music, drama, soap operas, and news. In addition, the English and French languages are taught for the benefit of those who wish to study these languages at home. Western music programs include classical, popular, and rock-and-roll selections. An entire book is read and interpreted in a series of half-hour programs (see Appendix B for sample Program II programs).

By the end of the Fifth National Development Plan (March 1973—March 1978), more than fifty per cent of the population of Iran should be able to receive Radio Tehran’s programs.

Program II FM

As mentioned earlier, Program II also broadcasts on FM and FM stereo bands. Western and classical music may be heard on these FM bands for the benefit of foreign residents in Iran. Iranians interested in foreign music also enjoy listening to these stations.

As in the case of a few countries such as Uganda, the NIRT has, since 1972, provided two FM bands which broadcast the original soundtracks of films shown on television as a service to foreign residents. Since foreign films are dubbed in Persian for the Iranian audience, those foreign residents and interested Iranians who wish to watch the films with the original soundtracks may simply turn the audio portion of their television sets off and listen to the FM radio station which broadcasts the film’s original soundtrack. Although the procedure may at first seem complicated, it can readily be mastered and allows audiences conversant with the original language to enjoy the films more fully.

Foreign Service

The history of Radio Iran’s foreign service dates back to the beginning of radio in Iran. The first programs were broadcast on April 24, 1940, following the formal inauguration by Shahanshah Aryamehr, the Crown Prince. The news of the inauguration was broadcast in Arabic, English, French, German, Russian, and Turkish, as well as in Persian. Until the late 1960s, Radio Iran, under the Ministry of Information, broadcast some programs which were beamed to neighboring countries and to some European countries. In 1971, after Radio Iran merged with the newly established National Iranian Television, the NIRT Department of News Agency took charge of broadcasting abroad in various languages. These programs are intended for foreign residents, neighboring countries, and Western countries, and are broadcast in Arabic, English, French, German, Russian, and Turkish as well as various Iranian regional dialects.^[12]

As mentioned, there are several short-wave and medium-wave transmitters in various parts of the country which broadcast for foreign residents. Some external broadcasts are transmitted by way of provincial transmitters. For example, the Urdu programs are received in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India from a 100-kilowatt transmitter at Zehedan, a southwestern city in Iran. The Urdu program has a large audience and over 10,000 letters are received monthly. Most of the programs broadcast to foreign countries are devoted to answering listeners’ questions and providing entertainment.^[13]

The Arabic language programs are intended for the countries south of the Persian Gulf and the islands in the Gulf. A thirty-minute program is broadcast from Tehran on short-wave. In addition, there is a four-and-a-half hours’ program from the Ahvas transmitter, and a one hour one from Kermanshah.^[14]

The Azeri and Turkish programs are broadcast from the Tabriz and Rezaiyeh transmitters which are located in northwest Iran.

Similarly the programs in Kurdish are broadcast from Kermanshah, Sanandaj, Rezaiyeh, and Mahabad transmitters. The programs in Kurdish consist of three separate dialects: Surani, Urami, and Northern Kurdish. Surani and Northern Kurdish are literary languages, while Urami is a vernacular. Radio Kermanshah broadcasts in Surani two hours daily. Radio Rezaiyeh broadcasts in Northern Kurdish one-and-one-half hours daily. The programs consist of news, music, literary features, mailbags, youth features, and a special program in Northern Kurdish, called “Thought and Knowledge,” which discusses agriculture and religion.^[15]

There are also programs in Assyrian which are broadcast from Tehran for a half hour daily, and programs in Turkoman which are broadcast from Radio Gorgan. By broadcasting in Persian as well as in the region’s special dialects the latter are preserved and the Persian language is promoted as well.

The Role and Objectives of Radio Iran

Since its beginning, radio has been the most powerful and effective means of mass communication in Iran. For many years, Iran’s writers, philosophers, intellectuals, and artists have considered radio an important instrument to preserve and develop Iran’s rich culture. In fact, many musicians and poets became popular after performances on Radio Iran, which has always provided a sanctuary where artists were protected and supported. Radio Iran also has played an important role in international politics and in safeguarding national interests by answering the propaganda broadcasts of enemies. Promoting the welfare of all groups of Iranian people, families, children, youth, workers, agriculturalists, farmers, and peasants has been another concern of Radio Iran. It has also stimulated writers to publish a number of books, magazines and papers, covering a wide range of subject matter, to increase the average Iranian’s awareness.

It is obvious, then, that Radio Iran is more than a source of entertainment. It has played an important role in reporting important world events. For example, through the efforts of NIRT, the 1974 Seventh Asian Games— the most important sports event ever held in Iran—could be broadcast to the United States and Europe. Foreign radio and television reporters were thus able to transmit chosen events of the games to their countries or to record them on audio or video tape. The 2,500th Anniversary of Iran’s Kingdom^[16] and the Coronation of Shahanshah Aryamehr were also broadcast to the rest of the world.[17]

In countries such as Iran, which are on the verge of social, economic, and technological change, an active exchange of views among citizens of the country plays an important role:

In Iran, radio is considered one of the most effective means of communication for this purpose, capable of influencing its listeners and stimulating cooperation, confidence, and a sense of purpose.^[18]

Hence, Radio Iran has an important responsibility to educate its listeners by preserving national traditions while propagating language and modern cultural values.

Recently, the introduction of transistor, battery-operated radio sets has increased the availability of radio and has made Radio Iran’s task of educating people easier. Families in remote villages can now listen to local, national, and international news in their homes. Workers can enjoy their national music at work or on their breaks. Farmers ploughing their fields can listen to local news by fastening their transistors onto their oxen’s horns. All these situations indicate that radio has become and will continue to be an important part of everyday living, keeping the people of Iran entertained and, most importantly, informed.

To fulfill its goals NIRT has attempted to maximize its coverage and expansion throughout the country. By March 1973, the end of the Fourth National Development Plan, the coverage of Radio Iran’s First Program was 75.45 per cent of the total population. It is estimated, however, that by 1978, the end of the Fifth National Development Plan, the coverage of Radio Iran’s Program I will have reached 100 per cent of the total population. As for Radio Iran’s Second Program, it is estimated that it will be at least another twenty years before the coverage reaches the entire country.^[19]

The overall goal of Radio Iran is to serve the people. With this in mind, the Fourth National Development Plan (March 1968—March 1973) outlined the following specific goals:

(a) Publicity on national development affairs from political, social, and economic aspects
(b) The public must be informed of current events by broadcasts of both foreign and national news
(c) National unity must be strengthened
(d) Culture must be disseminated, and artistic talent actively fostered
(e) The public should be encouraged to collect and maintain national and regional artistic works
(f) Education and culture should be developed by means of a sustained educational programs
(g) General standards and specialized knowledge should be revised
(h) The public should be entertained by means of musical and recreational programs; and,
(i) Iran should be made familiar to other countries by means of foreign language broadcasts.^[20]

Provincial Radio Centers

In terms of both quality and quantity National Iranian Radio and Television has a sophisticated, complex, radio production and transmission system. There are a number of radio stations fully equipped for both production and transmission. The major network stations, Radio Iran Program I, or Voice of Iran, and Radio Tehran Program II, are located in Tehran. There are also stations located in the main cities of all the provinces of Iran. Among the more important stations are the ones in Abadan, Ahvaz, Esfahan, Gorgan, Qazvin, Kerman, Kermanshah, Mashhad, Rasht, Razaiyeh, Sanandaj, Sari, Shiraz, Tabriz, and Zahedan.^[21]

With the broadcasting capacity of the far-flung provincial stations taken into account, the present (1977) radio network offers complete around-the-clock coverage. In addition, the present reach of the network enables NIRT to broadcast its various programs to several neighboring countries and to the Western world over eighteen hours daily.^[22]

A brief description of some major radio stations is presented here in order to shed light on the general status of radio broadcasting in Iran. Information in some areas is limited. In cases where the popularity of a program is mentioned the basis is reports from the stations, based on the number of telephone calls and letters they receive on each program.

Radio Tabriz

Radio Tabriz, one of the oldest radio stations in Iran, was established in 1946. Tabriz with its important location in the Northwest is one of the best equipped radio stations in Iran. Radio Tabriz has a 10-kilowatt and a 100-kilowatt transmitter. Radio Tabriz began broadcasting with a 10-kilowatt transmitter, but today it also has a 100-kilowatt transmitter. Radio Tabriz broadcasts nineteen-and-one half hours of daily programming. Radio Tabriz receives programs from Tehran Program I and II and rebroadcasts them in conjunction with its locally produced programs.^[23]

Radio Esfahan

Radio Esfahan was established in 1949. Although in the beginning the station did not have adequate facilities, currently this station is among the best equipped radio stations in the country. Its 10-kilowatt transmitter is favorably located to provide coverage not only for the city of Esfahan but for some neighboring cities as well. In addition to its regular twenty-four hours of AM broadcasting, Radio Esfahan also broadcasts on the FM band eleven hours daily.

Among NIRT’s plans for expansion is the installation of two 100-kilowatt transmitters for Radio Esfahan.^[24]

Radio Mashhad

Radio Mashhad was established and began its operations in 1949 with a 10-kilowatt transmitter. Currently, Radio Mashhad, with its fully equipped studios and technical facilities, is broadcasting about nine hours daily.

Since Mashhad is a religious city the programs of this station are carefully produced. Also, the programs that are received from Tehran are carefully selected for the local listeners.

NIRT has installed two 100-kilowatt transmitters which will soon be put into operation in Mashhad.^[25]

Radio Sananadaj

Radio Sanandaj began broadcasting in 1952. This station has a 10-kilowatt transmitter. Radio Sanandaj receives its programs from Tehran and rebroadcasts them in addition to five-and-one-half hours of locally produced programs.

The local productions are in Persian and Kurdish. There is a 1-kilowatt transmitter in reserve.^[26]

Radio Ahvaz

Radio Ahvaz was established in 1952. It began its regular broadcasting from a moderately small building. Currently, Radio Ahvaz has a 100-kilowatt transmitter for Program I which is received from Tehran. Radio Ahvaz also has a 1-kilowatt transmitter for broadcasting Tehran’s Program II. In addition, Radio Ahvaz has at its disposal a powerful 800-kilowatt transmitter for foreign broadcasting.

The programs of Radio Ahvaz are in Persian and Arabic and are received in Ahvaz and in neighboring countries. Due to its important location, Radio Ahvaz has a 10-kilowatt transmitter in reserve.^[27]

Radio Rasht

Radio Rasht was established in 1957. With its 100-kilowatt transmitter, Radio Rasht currently is among the best equipped radio stations in the country. Radio Rasht is able to produce eighteen different programs and broadcasts nineteen hours daily. Radio Rasht has a large number of listeners and covers a vast area in the north of the country.^[28]

Radio Rezaiyeh

For over eleven years, Radio Rezaiyeh re-transmitted the programs that were received from Tehran by installing loudspeakers in different public locations of the city. In 1959, Radio Rezaiyeh began its own programming with a 500-watt transmitter. Today, Radio Rezaiyeh broadcasts nineteen hours of programming daily. Seven hours are produced locally in Persian as well as Azeri, Kurdish, Northern Kurdish, and the Assyrian dialects.^[29]

Radio Shiraz

Radio Shiraz was established in 1959 with a 10-kilowatt transmitter. This station is among the most active stations in the country. Radio Shiraz broadcasts twenty-four hours a day, thirteen hours of which are produced locally. Among the locally produced programs are, “Guzargah-i Aftab” (The Passageway of the Sun), “Shahr-i Shab” (The City of the Night) and “Shab Zindah Daran” (Night Vigilantes). The locally produced programs have drawn a large number of listeners.

Every Friday a special program called “Shahr-i Shab-i Adinah” (The City of Friday Night), which is most popular among the listeners, is broadcast. This program is produced with the assistance of a number of university professors, writers, and elites as well as poets and musicians. The topics concern national and international cultural events.

NIRT has installed two additional 400-kilowatt transmitters in the Shiraz broadcasting center which will soon be put into operation.^[30]

Radio Kermanshah

Radio Kermanshah began its broadcasting in 1959 with a 400-kilowatt transmitter. In the beginning the station only broadcasted three hours a week. Currently, Radio Kermanshah with its 100-kilowatt transmitter is able to broadcast over eighteen hours of programming every day. Among its popular programs is “We and Listeners.” This program consists of a mixture of music, news, and talk on a variety of topics. The program is four hours long and is aired live.

There is also a three-hour program in the Kurdish language which is broadcast daily. Currently the Kurdish program is broadcast by an 800-kilowatt transmitter located in Qasr-i Shirin.

Arabic programs of Radio Kermanshah are broadcast in two time periods—mornings and evenings, six-and-one-half hours a day. These programs are received in most of the Arab countries as well.

There are two 100-kilowatt transmitters installed in the Kermanshah Radio Center which will soon be put into operation.^[31]

Radio Gorgan

Radio Gorgan began broadcasting regularly in 1960 with only fifteen minutes a day in the Turkish language. Its coverage was limited to only fifteen kilometers. Since the city of Gorgan is located near a number of vast plains which are the homes of many Turkmen tribes, its transmitting power was soon increased by the installation of a 10-kilowatt transmitter. Currently Radio Gorgan broadcasts nineteen hours daily. Four hours of the station’s nineteen hours are in the Turkmen language.

The Turkmen language programs consist of programs for children, young adults, farmers, workers, and on a variety of other interesting subjects, including native music and dances.^[32]

Radio Sari

Radio Sari began its broadcasting in 1970 with a 1-kilowatt transmitter. The station was established mainly to assist farmers in the Mazandaran Province area and to encourage local artists and musicians to preserve the native arts and music.

Among Radio Sari’s most popular programs are, “Teetees of Mazandaran” (Youth of Mazandaran) and “Dihqān” (Peasant). The “Dihqān” program is intended to inform farmers and peasants of the latest progress and development in farming and cattle raising and to answer their questions.^[33]

Radio Darya

Radio Darya broadcasts only during the summer seasons from a station located in Chalus in northern Iran. The Chalus station was established in 1972 with a 20-kilowatt transmitter. Due to the traffic from all points in Iran and from other countries to the coast of the Caspian Sea, three million people every year listen to Radio Darya. The station is called Daryā, or Sea, because it is mainly received by people near the Caspian Sea.

The programs of Radio Darya start daily at 7:30 a.m. and continue until 1:30 a.m. For almost four months the Chalus radio station, called or designated as Radio Darya, covers a vast area which includes Gorgan. The transmission reaches all the way to Astara, a border city in the northern part of the country.^[34]

Radio Yazd

Radio Yazd was established in 1972 with a 10-kilowatt transmitter. Yazd is located in the central part of the country near the desert. Radio Yazd broadcasts fourteen hours daily. Of the fourteen hours only three hours are produced locally by Yazd Radio while the remaining eleven hours are received from Tehran’s Program I.

The people in Yazd are early risers and consequently the early morning programs, broadcast from 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., are more popular and have a larger number of listeners. The producers of the local programs are aware of the people’s needs and interests and intend to produce programs that can be useful, informative, and answer questions that listeners may have.^[35]

Radio Hamedan

Radio Hamedan began broadcasting in 1972. Currently, this station broadcasts twelve hours daily. Its programming consists of native music, news, children’s programs, and some talk shows. These programs are transmitted by a 1-kilowatt transmitter.^[36]

Radio Khoramabad

Radio Khoramabad was established in 1972. The station is located some six kilometers outside the city of Khoramabad. The station began its schedule with three hours daily, but has been increasing it continuously ever since. There are two 10-kilowatt additional transmitters which will soon be put into operation to broadcast the Tehran Program I and II.^[37]

Radio Ilam

Radio Ilam was established in 1972 with a 1-kilowatt transmitter. The station began its operations from a moderately small building. Currently, Radio Ilam answers all local broadcasting needs.

Although Radio Ilam primarily rebroadcasts the programs, it receives from Tehran, lately the station has focused attention on producing its own programming.^[38]

Radio Ardebill

Radio Ardebill was established in 1973. Its locally produced programs are limited, and, therefore, it rebroadcasts Tehran’s Program I and II from 6:00 a. m. to 12:00 midnight.

Radio Khash

Radio Khash was established in 1976. The station has two 1-kilowatt transmitters. This station has not yet begun its own programming and only rebroadcasts Tehran’s Program I and Radio Zehedan’s programs. Installation of two additional transmitters is planned by NIRT for Radio Khash in the near future.^[39]

Radio Taibad

Radio Taibad was established in 1976. This station has two 100-kilowatt transmitters at its disposal. Radio Taibad receives its programs from Tehran and Mashhad and rebroadcasts them for local listeners as well as for those listeners in Afghanistan. Radio Taibad has not yet produced any of its own programming; however, with its adequate facilities local programming is anticipated soon.^[40]

Radio Iranshahr

Radio Iranshahr was established in 1976. This relatively young station has a 10-kilowatt transmitter. Since this station does not have any locally produced programs, it only receives and rebroadcasts Tehran’s Program I and Kerman’s locally produced programs. There are additional 10-kilowatt transmitters installed which will be put into operation in the near future.^[41]

Summary

As in most countries, radio broadcasting in Iran began with the introduction of the wireless telegraph. Reza Shah introduced the wireless telegraph to Iran and used it as part of a modernization of the Iranian Army. In 1926, Iran’s first wireless system was inaugurated by Reza Shah. The wireless station dispatched a message inviting neighboring countries to respond to its message. The Moscow station was the first station to respond with good wishes. Toward the end of 1926 the Department of Wireless, which was under the control of the Ministry of War, was transferred to the Ministry of Post, Telegraph, and Telephone.

In 1940 Iran’s first radio station was inaugurated in Tehran by His Majesty Shahanshah Aryemahr, then the Crown Prince. In 1942, Radio Iran which had been under the supervision of the Ministry of Post, Telegraph, and Telephone became independent, though it remained under control of the government. In 1971, it merged with National Iranian Television and thus formed National Iranian Radio and Television.

Radio has been financed by the Iranian government from its inception; however, advertising has also provided some income. Personnel for various positions have been chosen from among qualified Iranians. The programs of Radio Iran are broadcast from its two centers, Program I and II. Program I is intended for a general public and consists of a variety of programs for various audience tastes. Program II is designed for a more sophisticated audience and consists of more cultural and educational programs.

There are radio centers in most major cities of the provinces in Iran. The provincial centers broadcast Program I and II in conjunction with their locally produced programs.

APPENDIX A

RADIO PROGRAMS, PROGRAM I
FOR A SELECTED WEEK
JULY 23-29, 1977

Saturday July 23

Saturday July 23 (continued)

Sunday July 24

Sunday July 24 (Continued)

Monday July 25

Monday July 25 (continued)

Tuesday July 26

Tuesday July 26

Wednesday July 27

Wednesday July 27 (Continued)

Thursday July 28

Thursday July 28 (continued)

Friday July 29

Source: Tamāshā 321 (1977): 51.

APPENDIX B

RADIO PROGRAMS, PROGRAM II
FOR A SELECTED WEEK
JULY 23-29, 1977

Saturday July 23

Sunday July 24

Monday July 25

Tuesday July 26

Wednesday July 27

Thursday July 28

Friday July 29

Source: Tamāshā 321 (1977): 54.

[1] The text of this article is based upon the author’s 1978 doctoral thesis at Bowling Green State University. It is reprinted here in edited form by permission, and with the assistance of Gunha Kim.

[2] National Iranian Radio and Television, NIRT (Tehran: NIRT Publication Department, 1974), 10.

[3] UNESCO, World Communication (New York: UNESCO, 1964), 221.

[4] Tamāshā 321 (1977), 53.

[5] Ministry of Information, 30th Anniversary of Radio in Iran (Tehran: Ministry of Information, 1970), 1-4.

[6] Henceforth referred to as NITV when discussed prior to the merger with Radio Iran.

[7] Henceforth referred to as NIRT.

[8] Literal translation.

[9] Henceforth referred to as Program II.

[10] I have presented the development satellite elsewhere.

[11] Iran (Tehran: Ministry of Information, 1971), 162.

[12] Commercial Bulletin (Tehran: NIRT Publication Department, 1976), 18.

[13] Commercial Bulletin, 18.

[14] Commercial Bulletin, 18.

[15] Commercial Bulletin, 18.

[16] For further accounts of the biggest birthday party of all time, see “Iran, the Show of Shows,” Time, October 25, 1971, 32-3, and “Iran’s Birthday Party,” Newsweek October 25, 1971, 58-9.

[17] More details in “Iran’s Shah Crowns Himself and His Empress,” National Geographic 133, no. 3 (March 1968), 300-21.

[18] Commercial Affairs 59.

[19] Iran Almanac and Book of Facts (Tehran: Echo of Iran, 1976), 109.

[20] Elihu Katz, The Role of Broadcasting in Iran (Jerusalem: Communication Institute of the Hebrew University, 1974), 53.

[21] See Table 5, “Radio Transmitters in the Provinces,” on p. (table 5 is in p.132).

[22] See the map of “Radio Iran: A World-wide Network,” (now in p.140).

[23] A Report of NIRT’s Activities Until 1976, ed. Jila Sazegar (Tehran: NIRT Mardomsara, 1976), 19.

[24] A Report of NIRT’s Activities, 21.

[25] A Report of NIRT’s Activities, 17.

[26] A Report of NIRT’s Activities, 17.

[27] A Report of NIRT’s Activities, 20.

[28] A Report of NIRT’s Activities, 18.

[29] A Report of NIRT’s Activities, 19.

[30]A Report of NIRT’s Activities, 21.

[31] A Report of NIRT’s Activities, 17.

[32] A Report of NIRT’s Activities, 18.

[33] A Report of NIRT’s Activities, 18.

[34] A Report of NIRT’s Activities, 18.

[35] A Report of NIRT’s Activities, 21.

[36] A Report of NIRT’s Activities, 17.

[37] A Report of NIRT’s Activities, 20.

[38] A Report of NIRT’s Activities, 17.

[39] A Report of NIRT’s Activities, 22.

[40] A Report of NIRT’s Activities, 17.

[41] A Report of NIRT’s Activities, 22.