Operating a website with a US-based domain name is starting to seem a little less secure Tuesday, with the news that the Justice Department seized multiple Iran-linked media websites’ US domains. Among those seized were PressTV.com, Alalamtv.net, and AlMasirah.net. Paltoday.tv was also taken.
Details are scant, as the Justice Department has neither confirmed the seizures nor made any effort to explain them. The notice suggested it was done under laws that allow forfeiture of property involved in trafficking nuclear technology or material.
That’s not a good excuse, of course, as while these news sites cover details of the JCPOA and its negotiations, that’s not the same thing as trafficking by any stretch of the imagination. Seizing a media outlet, or several, should be a major issue in the US, and the lack of explanation is troubling.
The nuclear program is only one theory, as the Associated Press reported it was just general bans for “disinformation,” and CBS suggested it was specifically reporting related to US elections.
There is no confirmation though. The US State Department refused comment, telling reporters to ask the Justice Department. So far, it does not appear that the Justice Department has offered a statement.
PressTV and AlamTV are both state media outlets run by IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting), in English and Arabic, respectively. al-Masirah is a satellite TV station operating in Yemen, aligned closely with the Houthi movement. Palestine Today is a news outlet linked with the Gaza Strip.
The websites themselves don’t appear to be entirely gone, with PressTV still operating from its Iranian domain name. al-Alam is similarly still available that way. The global nature of the Internet, and the US limitation in seizing anything but US-based TLDs, means this is not a reliable method to remove content.
The timing of this is particularly poor, coming just days after Iran’s presidential election, and amid ongoing JCPOA talks on a nuclear deal. The US was critical of the Iranian vote, but seizing domains seems deliberately escalatory.
DISCLOSURE: The author of this article made multiple guest appearances on PressTV.
It’s only the virtual world, …but this is a tad alarming, …has a decision been made, …is the time of the lie over, and the night of the jackboot & truncheon begun?
Interesting question that reminds of something I read long ago.
“The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it’s profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theater.”
― Frank Zappa
Are they pulling back the curtain?
Yes, much better stated, with the allusion to deBord, “Society as Spectacle”. We are trapped in a moral workhouse/prison run by very smart and perfectly amoral greedheads.
I would say that the current system is increasingly dependent upon overt repression.
Is there any link at all between the USA and democracy? I see none.
Nor do I. Is there any wonder poll after poll of other nations signify the U.S. as the most dangerous country in the world?
We commit an act of piracy by the taking of Iranian ships carrying oil, then we sell the oil. We sanction the crap out of Iran, DURING A PANDEMIC! Now this!
Not proud to be an American right now.
This administration off to a bad start making people like you and I proud 2B Americans.
There is no end to US hypocrisy. Recall Rwanda. US could have stopped the genocide by jamming the radio signals but refused to do so citing ‘international broadcasting agreement’ & American commitment to free speech! In reality, it was too expensive. But clearly it has no problem censoring Press TV for not repeating US hasbara. Just how much lower will this country get?
There is more chaos, violence and depravity to come at home. And plenty of sinister intentions abroad.
By blocking Iran-affiliated news websites show the US & its allies are a group of international tyrants, international dictators, international oppressors, international censoring regimes, etc
SHAMEFUL!