Abstract
The present study aims to identify the key components of news management in Iran's national media when dealing with Persian-language foreign media. This qualitative research was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 18 experts in the field of journalism and media. Using thematic content analysis, researchers extracted 221 initial codes, 41 sub-themes, and ultimately 9 core themes. The findings indicate that effective news management in national media depends on enhancing media literacy, first-hand storytelling, strengthening investigative journalism, strategic policymaking, recognizing local media ecology, identifying audience information gaps, timely news production and dissemination, participatory gatekeeping, and organizational performance evaluation. The study concludes that the national media's delay in providing first-hand narratives creates an opportunity for rival media to fill the gap and shape public discourse. To counter this, national media must strengthen its proactive strategies and improve alignment with the informational needs of its audience.
Keywords: News Management; Crowdsourcing; Media Literacy; Narrative Journalism; News Gatekeeping.
Introduction
In the contemporary media ecosystem, national broadcasters are increasingly challenged by foreign media outlets targeting domestic audiences with alternative narratives. In Iran, Persian-language foreign media such as BBC Persian, Iran International, and Voice of America have gained notable traction among certain segments of the population, primarily due to their agility in news delivery, framing strategies, and responsiveness to sociopolitical developments. These outlets often fill the void left by the national media’s delayed or restrained coverage. Against this backdrop, the question arises: how can Iran’s national media manage its news content effectively to maintain narrative control and preserve its legitimacy? This study investigates the critical components required for robust news management in national broadcasting, particularly in the face of informational rivalry with foreign Persian-language channels.
 
Materials & Methods
The study adopted a qualitative methodology using a content-driven thematic analysis framework. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 experts and practitioners in journalism, communication, and media policy, selected through purposive sampling. These participants included university professors, media managers, journalists, and public relations experts with at least five years of experience in media-related sectors. Data collection was conducted via in-depth interviews, which were transcribed and coded systematically. The coding process followed a three-tiered structure: open coding, categorization into sub-themes, and synthesis into major conceptual categories. In total, 221 open codes were generated, which were organized into 41 sub-themes and eventually consolidated into 9 overarching categories: 1) media literacy, 2) first-hand event narration, 3) investigative journalism, 4) strategic policymaking, 5) local media ecology awareness, 6) audience information gap identification, 7) timely news production and delivery, 8) participatory gatekeeping, and 9) organizational performance evaluation. Reliability was ensured through expert feedback, peer checking, and triangulation with participant reviews.
 
Discussion & Result
The findings underscore several systemic issues and propose actionable insights. First and foremost is the absence of media literacy among both content producers and audiences. The study shows that limited critical evaluation skills among consumers allow rival media to manipulate perceptions through emotional framing or selective emphasis. Enhancing media literacy, both institutionally and publicly, emerged as a foundational element of effective news management. The study also revealed a crucial deficiency in first-hand event narration. National media is often late in addressing key events, allowing foreign media to define the initial narrative framework. Participants emphasized that real-time engagement and presence in breaking news scenarios are essential to establish narrative authority. Investigative journalism was another critical shortfall. Rather than digging into the roots of events, national media tends to focus on surface-level or sanitized reports. Strengthening investigative units within state media could provide deeper, contextualized information that deters audience migration to foreign outlets. Strategic policymaking was identified as underdeveloped. Interviewees pointed out that short-termism, absence of a clear roadmap, and reactive management prevent long-term coherence in editorial practices. A policy-driven framework is essential for aligning news production with broader national objectives and audience expectations. One of the most emphasized areas was the need for understanding the local media ecology. Without a nuanced grasp of socio-cultural diversity and everyday informational demands, the national media continues to lose its relevance. The study highlighted the necessity of tailoring content to ethnic, gender-based, generational, and regional audience segments to maintain legitimacy and avoid alienation. The identification of information gaps was described as a performance indicator. If national media fails to address what the public wants or needs to know, audiences naturally turn to alternatives. Such gaps were shown to contribute directly to declining public trust and increased vulnerability to misinformation. The role of timeliness in news delivery was also emphasized. In an age of digital immediacy, speed is equated with credibility. The study found that structural inertia and excessive bureaucratic processes delay national media’s response to events, reducing its impact and visibility. Another novel contribution of the research was the idea of participatory gatekeeping. This model advocates for decentralized news filtering and production involving citizen journalists, civil society actors, and thematic experts. Participants argued that crowdsourced gatekeeping not only democratizes news production but also improves alignment with public sentiment and reality. Finally, the study highlighted the importance of organizational performance evaluation. Without continuous feedback mechanisms and performance metrics, media organizations fail to adapt to new challenges or rectify recurring errors. Institutional learning and accountability were presented as cornerstones for long-term resilience.
 
 
Conclusion
The research concludes that Iran's national media must transition from a reactive, top-down news model to a proactive, participatory, and data-driven structure. To resist the influence of Persian-language foreign media and reassert its credibility, the national broadcaster must address systemic deficiencies in timeliness, policy coherence, audience understanding, and investigative reporting. Moreover, national media must recognize that modern audiences are neither passive nor uniform. Content must be contextual, inclusive, and responsive to cultural pluralism and evolving expectations. The integration of media literacy education, participatory content curation, and strategic performance assessment offers a sustainable framework for resilient and competitive news management. If implemented effectively, such an approach would reduce information gaps, counter misinformation, and reinvigorate public trust in the national media’s capacity to inform, represent, and unify.