Western Televisions Stereotyping about Iran; Examining 10 Media Stereotypes about Iran in 15 Western Documentaries

The recent decade has witnessed a rise in the western media, particularly European and American televisions, of Iran and Iranians image due to increased tensions between the Islamic republic and the West. In the represented image of Iran in these media, one single representational strategy or attribute is extremely obvious, i.e. stereotyping. The present article attempts to offer an answer to the question that how Iran is represented in Western televisions. To answer the question, 15 documentary programs broadcast on these televisions were selected and analyzed through semiotics. The findings indicate that from 2002 onwards, Western televisions have frequently used 10 stereotypes about Iran and represented the country with a special focus on these stereotypes.