First, the study expands on the theoretical concept of alternative media by focusing on its meso dimension, i.e., distribution and production, which is facilitated by the introduction of new communication technologies, such as news apps. This paper offers two unique contributions. Using a mixed method, the study attempts to understand the kind of news topics that these Telegram channels mostly cover, and it examines the audiences’ engagement with news stories. This paper empirically examines how the Telegram instant messaging app is used by foreign state-run media outlets to disseminate Persian language news to the Iranian public. This paper concludes by highlighting the implications of foreign state-run news outlets using news loopholing to disseminate information, while simultaneously collecting private information about their users and/or potentially risking their safety. The Telegram instant messaging app is related to the meso dimension of alternative media, meaning that it is characterized by the unique production and dissemination means it utilizes. Conceptually, I consider these channels as portable alternative media, as opposed to state-run news media, since the Iranian public seeks them out as sources of political information that assist them in better understanding world news and, most importantly, news about their own country. Results show that most of the news coverage centered on politics, particularly with an emphasis on internal Iranian issues, while a few other channels repeatedly urged their followers to submit not only their email addresses and other private information, but also photographs and/or videos of anti-government protests. It also offers a topic modelling of all news stories posted.

More specifically, it focuses on the mobile news app Telegram by undertaking a content analysis of a sample of the top 400 most viewed stories across four channels, i.e., BBC Persian, Voice of America’s Persian language service VOA Farsi, Radio Farda, and Iran International television channel. This paper deals with foreign state-run media outlets that disseminate Persian language news targeted to the Iranian public.

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