Mohammad Sarafraz (Persian: محمد سرافراز) is an Iranian media executive who was head of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) from 2014 until his resignation in 2016.

Mohammad Sarafraz
Head of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting
In office
8 November 2014 – 11 May 2016
Appointed byAli Khamenei
Preceded byEzzatollah Zarghami
Succeeded byAbdulali Ali-Asgari
Personal details
Bornc. 1961 (age 62–63)
Tehran, Iran
Alma materImam Sadiq University
Saint Joseph University
Military service
Branch/serviceRevolutionary Guards
Years of service1983-1987
Battles/warsIran–Iraq War

He was the 6th director-general of the IRIB and succeeded Ezatollah Zarghami on November 10, 2014.[1] He holds a Ph.D. in political sciences from Saint Joseph University of Beirut and MA from Imam Sadiq University . He is active in IRIB since 1993 in different posts and played a crucial role in launching Press TV, Hispan TV, al-Alam and iFilm television channels.

Careers in IRIB

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Sarafraz was active in the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) from 1993 and holds the position of deputy director-general in foreign affairs since 1995, being appointed by then director-general Mohammad Hashemi Rafsanjani. He played a crucial role in launching Press TV, HispanTV, al-Alam and iFilm television channels.

On 1 November 2014, Sarafraz became new director-general of IRIB, succeeding Ezzatollah Zarghami. He officially takes office on 10 November. On 11 May 2016, he resigned from his post due to illness.

Controversy

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In 2013, the European Union adopted restrictive measures against Sarafraz and recognized him as being associated with violating human rights and working with the Iranian security services and prosecutors to broadcast forced confessions of detainees.[2][3]

References

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  1. ^ Sarafraz will taking as IRIB head on 10 November 2014
  2. ^ "COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) No 206/2013". EUR-Lex. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  3. ^ "Iran: New broadcast boss Sarafraz is on European human rights blacklist". euronews. 2014-11-08. Retrieved 2014-11-12.
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Media offices
New title Chairman of Press TV
2007–2014
Succeeded by
Ali Ejarehdar
Preceded by Director-General of IRIB
2014–2016
Succeeded by