Iran’s parliament slams EU sanctions on Press TV, removal of network from Eutelsat

Iran's parliament (Majlis) has condemned the European Union's sanctions on Iranian media and removal of Press TV from the satellite operator Eutelsat, terming it a breach of free speech and media freedom.

Eutelsat is a French satellite operator providing coverage over the entire European continent, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Earlier this month, the satellite operator notified the Tehran-based broadcaster of its plan to take the network off the air, which observers saw as an arbitrary move to silence the popular Iranian TV network at the behest of Western powers. 

The move came barely weeks after the European Union imposed sanctions on Press TV.

The statement by Iran's parliament on Wednesday, unanimously agreed upon and signed by the lawmakers, is as follows:

The action of the European Union in placing several Iranian institutions and individuals, including the Press TV network, in the new list of sanctions, on false pretexts that led to the suspension of the Press TV channel by the French satellite Eutelsat, is a blatant action against the freedom of media in reflecting facts.

Contrary to what is claimed by those imposing sanctions (on Iranian media), they are actually trying to suppress and restrict any voice that opposes them and prevent it from reaching the people of the world.

Undoubtedly, the sanctions imposed on Press TV by the European Union and before that by the Canadian government do not pursue any goal other than creating more restrictions for the media of the resistance front centered on the Islamic Republic of Iran.

It is also indicative of the fact that this network and other similar media have succeeded in achieving their goals to be the voice of truth-seeking in the international arena because contrary to the practice and trend of the Western media empire, Press TV has tried to have a logical and practical confrontation with their distortions.

Now, the European Union, in collusion with the American government, has cut off Press TV from Eutelsat, so that the noble people of the world, from the Middle East to Africa and from far Asia to the heart of America and Europe, will be deprived of hearing and watching this channel. 

But the "truth" is the sun that will come out and its shining beam will bring light and warmth to the depths of the souls of all people who are ready to accept it.

We, the representatives of the honorable people of Iran in the Iranian Parliament, condemn this action that violates freedom of speech, and is all political and based on false accusations, and tell the European Union that Press TV will remain the voice of the voiceless louder than ever. 

The European Union's measure to sanction the officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran is against international courtesy and shows the weakness that Europe and especially the three countries of England, Germany and France have fallen into, and it is definitely condemned and this path will not benefit them.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir