Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has warned domestic corporations about running commercials on foreign Persian TV channels.

Satellite TV channels are hugely popular with Iranian audiences.
(photo: Sahar Mokhtari)

The ministry's Advertisement and Information Dissemination Office Director Alireza Karimi said that a law containing a prohibition against running commercials on foreign TV channels is already on the books.

The ministry will take punitive action against the institutes and corporations advertising on these channels, he noted.

"None of the foreign (Persian) channels and networks are legal in Iran and none of them have offices in the country. All the channels and networks are being financed by groups and organizations, which are against the sacred system of the Islamic Republic. They are considered part of the opposition and advertising on their broadcasts is illegal," he explained.

"Families are the victims of the unsound and unscientific advertisements on these networks," Karimi stated.

Anti-obesity and impotence drugs are mostly advertised on these Persian channels and networks.

Iran had previously prohibited Iranian artists, sports personalities, and cultural figures from appearing in advertisements.

... Payvand News - 05/18/11 ... --