The appearance of armed anchors on Iranian state television became more than a moment in wartime reporting; it was a visual shift by the broadcasting corporation Sada va Sima from mobilizing rhetoric to displaying weapons directly in the studio. Official channels showed presenters with Kalashnikov rifles, studying instructions on their use in programs such as "Military Headquarters" on Ofogh, "Field Commander" on Channel Three and "Time" on Channel Two. Footage circulated on social media showing male and female anchors in poses more reminiscent of military training than television work, including demonstrations of weapon disassembly and reassembly.
Management of the state broadcaster tried to smooth over the controversy by presenting these scenes as symbolic gestures rather than a call to direct fighting in studios. Sada va Sima’s deputy for political affairs, Hasan Abedini, said that anchors carrying weapons was a "symbolic act" showing that "32 million fedayeen also have military readiness." With this explanation the broadcaster sought to turn the screen into part of a policy of deterrence and mobilization, treating weapons on screen as a political symbol expressing society’s participation in the battle.
Critics, however, argued that bringing weapons onto the screen does not strengthen national unity but rather reveals tensions in official rhetoric and creates an impression of constant mobilization instead of reassurance. The newspaper Sazandegi wrote that an anchor should maintain distance between the institution and the audience, and carrying weapons turns them from a transmitter of a message into part of the message, suggesting that television looks as if it has turned into a "barracks." Critics say such militarization of the image psychologically exhausts society and weakens the media’s standing rather than broadening its representativeness.
This incident comes against a broader crisis of trust between several layers of Iranian society and state television, which many perceive not as a mirror of society but as a platform representing conservative and security-aligned political currents. Constitutionally, television is subject to a special regime under which its head is appointed and dismissed by the Supreme Leader and is overseen by a supervisory council with representatives of the three branches of power, making the institution, in opponents’ eyes, closer to an official organ above political competition. Over the years, according to local polls, dependence on television as a source of news and entertainment has declined among groups such as youth, the middle class and residents of major cities.
Opinions on social media were divided: some saw the scenes as part of a "psychological war" and a signal of internal readiness, others viewed them as proof of a growing gap between television and layers of the audience. Supporters argued that anchors carrying weapons sends a signal of readiness and boosts morale during wartime, while critics said the image confirms the transformation of the screen into a mobilization platform addressing a pre-mobilized supportive audience. Thus, these images provided fresh material for debates over the degree of television’s neutrality and its role as a representative space for society.
The result is twofold: these images can raise the morale of the regime’s base, but at the same time they give critics additional reasons to boycott the broadcaster and doubt its representation of Iranian society. This boycott is not momentary but the accumulation of years of accusations of bias, selective coverage of protests, ignoring critical voices and presenting a cultural model in which many do not see their everyday lives. Therefore, regaining a lost audience does not seem guaranteed through militarizing the image; rather, mechanisms of exclusion and rupture between the institution and broad segments of society may intensify.
Comments on the story
What is the real role of the state broadcasting corporation Sada va Sima in Iran’s political system and why is it called part of the state apparatus rather than an independent media outlet? - Sada va Sima is the official mouthpiece of the Iranian government and the Supreme Leader. It does not merely report events but deliberately shapes public opinion in line with the interests of the ruling system. Its leadership is appointed directly by the Supreme Leader and its funding comes from the state budget, which completely rules out independence. It is used for propaganda, mobilizing the population and suppressing alternative viewpoints, which is why it is viewed not as an independent media organization but as part of the state propaganda apparatus.
What is the Basij movement and how is it related to the "32 million fedayeen" mentioned in the article? - Basij (meaning "mobilization") is a voluntary paramilitary militia created after the Islamic Revolution to defend the regime. It operates under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The phrase "32 million fedayeen" is an ironic or critical reference to authorities’ claims that tens of millions of Iranians are ready to become "fedayeen" (sacrificers) to defend the country and the Islamic ideology. In reality, Basij has several million registered members, but the loyalty and activity of many is questionable, and the figures are often exaggerated to demonstrate popular support for the regime.
Why is state television losing audience among youth and residents of large cities despite its monopoly? - Despite its monopoly, Sada va Sima faces a sharp decline in popularity due to several factors: strict censorship and ideological control repel young people seeking modern, free content; the monotony and predictability of programming and constant propaganda lead to fatigue; in large cities there is growing access to satellite TV, the internet and VPNs that allow viewing foreign channels; social networks and streaming services are also in high demand and offer more engaging and truthful content than official channels. As a result, even in the absence of domestic alternatives, people actively seek information outside the country.
Full version: من الشاشة إلى الثكنة.. جدل في إيران بعد ظهور مذيعِين مسلحين