An opinion poll indicates that an overwhelming majority ofPress TV's audience slam the Western campaign against Iranian media channels.The survey conducted by Press TV shows that 93 percent of the participants believe the ban on Iranian media by Western satellite companies is a gross violation of free speech.
On June 19, communications satellite services provider Intelsat said it will no longer provide services to Iranian channels, including the English-language news channel, Press TV. The decision has been made under the pretext that the company should be abiding by the sanctions against the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
Intelsat noted that it has been ordered by the US government to avoid extending IRIBs license, saying that it will stop providing services to Iranian channels as of July 1.
Press TV and other Iranian channels have come under an unprecedented wave of attacks by European governments and satellite companies since January 2012. They were taken off air in several Western countries, including Britain, France, Germany and Spain.
European satellite companies say they are complying by anti-Iran sanctions. However, EU foreign policy chief's spokesman, Michael Mann, has told Press TV that sanctions do not apply to media.
The French-Israeli CEO of Europe's satellite giant, Eutelsat, has written letters to several satellite companies, asking them to stop cooperating with Iranian channels.
The Israeli lobby in the United States has also publicly supported European attempts to shut down Press TV.
Media activists call the attacks on Iranian channels a campaign against free speech launched by the same European governments that preach freedom of expression.
By Press TV
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