Abstract This study aims to examine the role of domestic media in legitimizing the efficiency of the Islamic Republic of Iran, with a specific focus on foreign policy power, through the lens of the Hypodermic Needle Theory. The central question is how state-affiliated media represent elements of power in foreign policy to contribute to the perception of political efficiency and legitimacy. The hypothesis suggests that media, by reinforcing discourses of resistance and national strength, help shape public opinion to support the regime’s performance. This research adopts a qualitative content analysis method with an inductive approach. The statistical population consists of all domestic media reports related to Iranian foreign policy, with a purposive sample of 30 selected news items from official agencies such as ISNA, Fars, Mehr, Tasnim, Tabnak, and Mashregh News. Findings reveal that media emphasize themes such as national security, regional influence, and dignity-oriented diplomacy to construct a narrative of governmental efficiency in foreign policy. The study concludes that these media narratives function as mechanisms of performance-based legitimacy, consistent with the assumptions of the Hypodermic Needle Theory.

Abstract This study examines the representation of resistance economic policies in the Iranian media and their impact on public attitudes toward the national economy. The main question of the study is how the media use linguistic and visual tools to shape the audience’s understanding of these policies. The hypothesis of the study is that by positively representing resistance economic policies, the Iranian media have sought to create or change public attitudes in favor of the national economy. To answer this question, the study used the qualitative content analysis method and data were collected from articles published in 15 reputable Iranian media outlets during the years 2011 to 2014. The statistical population includes all media outlets that have analyzed resistance economic policies, and the statistical sample was selected from media outlets such as Mehr News, Donyay Eqtesad, and Mashreq News. The results of the study show that the media, using nationalist concepts and emphasizing resistance to sanctions, have been trying to attract public support for resistance economic policies by relying on these headlines, articles, and analyses. These representations have clearly sought to reinforce the importance of domestic production and self-sufficiency in the minds of the audience.

Abstract This study investigates the role of culture and media in reconstructing political discourses in the Middle East, with a particular emphasis on the geopolitics of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The central issue of the research is how regional powers—especially Iran—utilize cultural and media tools to represent themselves and undermine rival discourses. The core question explored is: how do culture and media contribute to the construction, reinforcement, or transformation of political discourses in the Middle East, and how has Iran employed these capacities to strengthen its regional position? The hypothesis posits that Iran, by relying on cultural-identity components and strategically utilizing aligned media outlets, has managed to reproduce a distinct discourse centered on resistance, independence, and justice—serving as a tool of soft power projection across the region. Adopting an interpretive approach and a qualitative methodology, this research uses thematic discourse analysis to examine the content of 30 selected media outlets (15 aligned with Iran and 15 opposing or neutral), including networks such as Press TV, Al-Alam, Al-Arabiya, Al-Jazeera, BBC, and Sky News, within the time frame of 2011 to 2025.

Abstract This study examines transparency and oversight in municipal transactions in Iran and determines the related media requirements. The main question of the study is what is the status of transparency and oversight in municipal transactions in Iran and how can the media play a role in improving it? The research hypothesis states that despite the existing legal frameworks, executive and oversight shortcomings have led to a decrease in transparency in municipal transactions and the media can help improve this situation by playing their oversight role. The research method is qualitative and uses documentary studies, content analysis of laws and regulations, media reports, and semi-structured interviews with urban experts. The results show that despite the existence of laws related to financial transparency and municipal transactions, challenges such as weak enforcement of regulations, ineffective oversight mechanisms, and information technology limitations have prevented the achievement of desired transparency. Also, the media can play an effective role in increasing transparency and accountability of urban managers by exposing violations and providing timely information.

Abstract purpose:The present study was considered with the aim of investigating the moderating role of using enterprise social media use in work engagement. Therefore, relying on the job demand-resources (JD-R) model, a research model was created to examine the moderating role of the use of work and non-work enterprise social media in the relationship between work stressors (challenge stressors and Hindrance stressors) and work engagement.
Methodology:Based on the job demand-resources (JD-R) model, a research model was created to examine the moderating role of the use of work and non-work organizational social media in the relationship between work stressors (challenge stressors and inhibitory stressors) and job attachment.The research model was tested by using 420 valid responses collected through an online questionnaire in science-based companies in Sheikh Bahai Science and Technology Park, Isfahan.
Findings:The results showed:challenge stressors are positively associated with work engagement while hindrance stressors are negatively associated withwork engagement. also the relationship between challenge stressors and work engagement exhibitsa U-shaped effect under the moderation of work-related ESM use but shows an inverted U-shaped effect under the moderation of nonwork-related ESM use.
Conclusion:Hindrance-stressed employees may need a relatively higher level of nonwork-related ESM use than challenge-stressed employees to achieve optimal work engagement.

Abstract This article examines the impact of electoral advertising on the political decision-making process in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The main research question analyzes the various advertising techniques employed throughout Iranian electoral history and their impact on public opinion and election results. The central question is: How were advertising techniques used in the 2021 Iranian presidential election, and what impact did they have on public opinion? The research methodology combines qualitative and quantitative methods, including content analysis of advertisements, interviews with experts and voters, and standardized questionnaires. The results indicate that advertising techniques, as a powerful tool, can positively and negatively influence public perceptions and election outcomes. It is recommended that electoral advertising laws be reviewed and that new technologies be used to improve communication with voters.

Abstract The main purpose of the present study was to understand the sensitive issues in Kurdistan and in the regional media space especially in Kurdistan province, and for this reason, to better understand the issue, qualitative and quantitative Delphi method was used. The statistical population of the research included experts active in the fields of humanities in Kurdistan province and familiar with the conditions of this province. In the qualitative section, 22 participants answered the questions and in the quantitative section, 38 participants answered the closed questions. The whole process shows the impact of cultural, ethnic, religious, inferiority and the absence of free media on the reaction to the activities of the media, and in this regard, the media should know the cultural differences and cultural sensitivities of different groups and try to maintain their neutrality in confronting with and distinguishing between the inferior and the superior. Also, having a maximum approach in attracting the audience can help the realization of social and national understanding.

Abstract Introduction: In this article, the educational package of psychological literacy of media and virtual space based on culture is introduced.
Research method: survey and applied, it is among psychometric studies. The content of the educational package of psychological literacy of media and virtual space has been designed, validated and introduced based on the opinion of experts in the form of instructions for eight educational-explanatory sessions. The statistical population and research sample in the first part were related sources and in the second part there were 12 experts.
Findings: The content validity of this educational package is 87.51 in relevance category, 79.17 in clarity, 79.16 in simplicity and 81.95 in total and acceptable. The content validity ratio of this training package was 0.92 and its importance index was 92.8.
Discussion and conclusion: The educational package based on explanatory and facilitating approach has acceptable content validity. The training of this educational and interventional package is suggested in order to deal with cognitive and combined media threats &prevent media injuries in different groups, especially teenagers, and it is expected to play an effective role by improving the knowledge and culture of using media and virtual space. in reducing the vulnerability of media .

Abstract The present study examines translation strategies in the English subtitles of The lost strait based on Pedersen's model (2011). Initially, the cultural elements were identified using Newmark (2010) model and then analyzed and described based on Pedersen's. The main goal was to estimate the frequency and types of strategies used in translation and determine the source-oriented or goal-oriented approaches. The results showed that the translator mainly adopted a source-oriented approach in the translation process. So that, 49.5 percent were allocated to source-oriented strategies. This indicates the translator's effort to accurately convey the concepts and cultural elements of the original text. On the other hand, goal-oriented strategies constituted only 27.9 percent, indicating the priority of preserving the original text's authenticity over adapting the concepts to the target audience's culture. In addition, 22.6 percent were translated using an official equivalent, indicating the translator's attention to the accuracy and acceptance by the target language audience. These results indicate that the subtitle translation of the film, considering its specific historical and cultural content, has taken a balanced approach; in such a way that while maintaining loyalty to the original text, an effort has been made to make it understandable for the target audience.

Abstract This study explores how cultural identities are represented within the interactive narratives of video games. The central question addresses how interactivity, through mechanisms of choice, decision-making, and player agency, contributes to the reproduction or transformation of cultural identities. The research aims to elucidate the relationship between interactive storytelling, agency, and cultural representation, while identifying the key components that structure this relationship. Employing a qualitative and interpretive approach, the study utilizes cultural content analysis and narrative semiotics. Data were collected through analytical gameplay observation and systematic playthroughs of 30 selected video games and analyzed via intratextual triangulation. Findings reveal that as the level of interactivity and narrative freedom increases, cultural representation shifts from static to dynamic and multilayered forms. Games featuring multi-path and decision-driven structures enable more pluralistic and critical depictions of culture, whereas linear narratives tend to reinforce simplified or stereotypical portrayals. The results suggest that video games should be conceptualized as dynamic cultural spaces where meaning and identity are co-constructed through interaction and choice. The study highlights the need for greater cultural sensitivity in game design and calls for further interdisciplinary research into the cultural dimensions of interactive media.

Abstract The aim of this study is to identify the challenges and solutions to enhance the authority of Iranian films participating in festivals,. Using a systematic literature review method and analyzing 58 selected articles from 136 initial articles, this study has identified the challenges in seven main areas: (1) the lack of use of new technologies such as digital and online platforms that prevent Iranian films from being seen globally; (2) technical and administrative problems in the process of selecting and evaluating films that reduce the quality of film selection and limit competitive opportunities; (3) weaknesses in marketing and advertising strategies; (4) competition with prestigious global festivals that put pressure on the Fajr Film Festival and limit film competition; (5) contextual obstacles; (6) structural and management problems such as dependence on government institutions and lack of coordination between sectors that negatively affect the process of selecting and supporting films; and (7) challenges in judging, such as the lack of standardized criteria and subjective evaluations. The findings show that improving the authority of Iranian films in festivals requires a review of policies, the use of new technologies, the development of marketing strategies, and the improvement of management processes.

Abstract Leaving home for Jihad? Disguising dystopia & Selling it as utopia is what ISIS does with its recruits (especially young Europeans). By sticking to extreme ideological thoughts or claiming no ideology, this dystopia remains ruined forever. This article has been trying to answer some -easy yet difficult to imitate- questions: How is it possible to recruit a young educated Western Citizen to fight for an old outdated Eastern ideological battle? Who are the European youths willing to engage in radicalization? Why is this triangle (Sex, Violence, Religion) so favorite in times beyond compare? Is it only for the sake of Utilitarianism? What’s the percentage of The female jihadists of Europe and the male ones? What are the main Driving factors behind foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq? Fortunately, there are good pieces of puzzle here and there all around the world about this topic. European countries have been feeling the necessity to analyze not the terrorists but the ways they persuade recruits (by studying Intercultural conflict management, Intercultural moral judgement and so on.). The very Persuasion Process happens by using, misusing, disusing or abusing Mass Media. That’s why Media managers should be aware of the outcome more than others.

Abstract Information technology was able to change all the ways and methods of transforms, exchange, save and management of information. Nowadays, the newest communication technologies have changed the social changes so fast and deep that even the most stable part of human's life which is the culture could not resist and had changed. The mankind has faced serious cultural changes because of the increase in the speed of cultural transfer. Hence, figuring such a landscape in IT area could be positive changes based on cultural favorable solutions.
In this article, we are defining culture and IT accompanied with a study on their properties. A study has done, on the relation between culture and IT based on the newest communication technologies (the most important one is Internet).
The writer has discussed different viewpoints about Internet and its function and the influence and has shown all disadvantages and damages of this newest technology beside its advantages and capabilities.
At last the influence of internet on religious values is shown and studied.

Abstract The modern and intermediary science of media philosophy has been considered in countries like Germany and USA by philosophers, sociologists and media researchers since somewhat 10 years ago. The idea that this science has naturally arisen out of other scientific branches or it is a composition of several sciences in order to satisfy some expectations requires another research. Like many other similar sciences, and because of collapsing the limitations of a science in the modern science, the identity, the nature, the method and the scope of issues of this science are completely vague and also are very numerous. Though maybe it seems very soon to speak about reorganizing a young science like the modern science, this article, nevertheless, tries to answer the question mentioned in the title, hopping to be useful in removing some ambiguities.  

Abstract Mass Communication Media are information highways which roles in culture and identity have recently interested social science scholars. In this regard, different conceptual frameworks have been of offered.
Snowball communication is an idea that emphasizes the formation of identities through Mass media. On the contrary, some scholars emphasize information analysis. Still others emphasize a more balanced approach and point out the contradictory and dual role of mass media in both forming and eroding national identity. The purpose of the present article is to explore the level and content of TV programs, satellite channels, and internet sites on national identity of the citizens and their variables. The population of the study was the residents of Kashan, a traditional city that has recently begun movement toward modernity.
The study is a survey work in which data have been collected through questionnaires and interviews. A 10-item Likert- scale questionnaire provided data on the main variable. The cronbach’s alpha reliability was 0.84. Results indicated significant positive correlation between TV use and tendencies toward national identity (Tb= 0.252). However, the relationship was negative for the use of satellite channels and the internet (TC= -0.271 and -0.199). Chi-square analysis also confirmed the data. Regression analysis (β= 0.268 and -0.276) also reflects the positive effects of TV and the negative effects of Satellites on national identity.

Abstract This article studies the mobile phone effects on interpersonal communications of youths (through surveying students of Tehran universities). In fact, this study specifies whether the depth and width of interpersonal communications have been changed through mobile phone or not?
This research has considered mobile phone communications of 387 students of state universities in Tehran through measurement methods.
After gathering and examining data, it was found that personal characteristics of mobile phone owners have no effects on depths and width of interpersonal communications.
But their recognition of modern technologies (IT literacy) has little effect on their usage of mobile phone. The results also showed that the mobile phone use has had effects (although little) on depths and width of interpersonal relationships. Of course, this effect was observed in students who had mobile-mediated communications in addition to face to face communications.