Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 8
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has appointed Mohammad Sarafraz as the new head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the official IRNN State TV reported Nov. 8.
Sarafraz replaces Ezatollah Zarghami who held the post for the last ten years. Previously, Sarfaraz served as deputy head of the IRIB for the Foreign Service for last 20 years.
Under Sarafraz, several foreign language satellite channels, including Press TV (English), Al-Alam(Arabic) and Hispan TV(Spanish) were launched.
Sarafraz is also a member of the national group that makes decisions on Internet-related issues, and the Supreme Council of Cyberspace (SCC).
This government group was established by a decree from ayatollah Khamenei three years ago and Sarafraz is there by virtue of being the director of IRIB's Foreign Service department.
The decrees that Iran's Supreme Leader issues for the agencies that are under his direct supervision are usually for five-year terms.
Five years ago, Khamenei renewed his 5-year appointment decree for Zarghami and his second term ended on Nov. 7.