Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RPODUBAI485
2009-11-10 11:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Iran RPO Dubai
Cable title:  

IRAN: MAGAZINE PUBLISHER DISCUSSES BUSINESS, SANCTIONS,

Tags:  PGOV PHUM IR 
pdf how-to read a cable
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PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHTRO
DE RUEHDIR #0485/01 3141107
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 101107Z NOV 09
FM RPO DUBAI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0617
INFO RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI PRIORITY 0469
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEIDN/DNI WASHINGTON DC
RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
RUEHDIR/RPO DUBAI 0618
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RPO DUBAI 000485 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM IR
SUBJECT: IRAN: MAGAZINE PUBLISHER DISCUSSES BUSINESS, SANCTIONS,
OPPOSITION

DUBAI 00000485 001.2 OF 002


CLASSIFIED BY: Alan Eyre, Director, Iran Regional Presence
Office, DOS.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RPO DUBAI 000485

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM IR
SUBJECT: IRAN: MAGAZINE PUBLISHER DISCUSSES BUSINESS, SANCTIONS,
OPPOSITION

DUBAI 00000485 001.2 OF 002


CLASSIFIED BY: Alan Eyre, Director, Iran Regional Presence
Office, DOS.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)

1. (C) SUMMARY: The publisher of a monthly computer magazine in
Iran discounted the effects of U.S. sanctions on the
availability of U.S.-origin computers and products in Iran. She
explained that such computers are easily available and
relatively inexpensive because the included software is largely
pirated. Separately, the IRIG reprimanded the magazine after the
presidential election for publishing an article describing how
to circumvent government filters and access Facebook.
Regardless, and with little apparent concern for the
consequences, she has provided additional technical assistance
to the opposition. The publisher and her husband founded the
magazine 10 years ago and now have an approximate monthly
circulation of 40,000. Although they now print a few thousand
fewer copies per month relative to last year, she said Iran's
economy is 'always in recession' and the recent downturn does
not concern her. END SUMMARY.



The Magazine's Economics




2. (C) The publisher of a monthly computer magazine in Iran in a
November 8 discussion with IRPO described her magazine's
operations, the effect of sanctions on the computer industry,
and her technical assistance to the opposition. Her magazine
carries articles reviewing new computer products, how-to guides
for existing software, and analysis of the computer industry in
Iran, including, for example, a review of internet speeds in
Iran. This issue's advertisers are almost all Iran based, though
Samsung is running an ad for computer monitors.




3. (C) The publisher founded the monthly magazine 10 years ago
and attributes its staying power to their decision to distribute
the magazine throughout Iran. Whereas most magazines initially
focus on Tehran and the larger urban areas, from the beginning
she claims they tried to develop national readership. The
strategy was successful, allowing them to build a broad base and
they now field calls from stores in far-flung locales in Iran
seeking to sell their magazine. They publish roughly 40,000
copies per month, sending a few thousand to their subscribers

with the remainder distributed on newsstands via a private
company.




4. (C) The magazine's newsstand price is 1200 tomans
(approximately USD 1.20) and she said similar magazines range
from 800 tomans to 1500 tomans (approximately USD 0.80 to USD
1.50). Most of the magazine's profit comes from selling
advertisements. Personnel costs are low; they have only two
permanent employees and most articles are submitted from
independent journalists and students.




5. (C) Iran's economic downturn seems to have had little effect
on their operation. She initially laughed off any negative
effects on their business from the slowdown in Iran's economy,
commenting that Iran's economy is 'always in recession' and
companies simply make do. But she then admitted that their
circulation has dropped by a few thousand copies per month since
last year. Her personal income though is roughly USD 7000 per
month - quite high relative to other Iranians.



Sanctions Do Not Limit Computer Availability




6. (C) The magazine's current issue reviews several models of
inexpensive laptops available worldwide, including a few U.S.
brands. The publisher said that all of the models may not be
available in Iran but, generally, U.S. sanctions do little to
limit the availability of U.S. computer products. Such
computers may even be cheaper in Iran, she said, because all of
the included software - she mentioned Microsoft and Adobe
products specifically - is pirated and consequently costs little.



Aid to the "Green Movement"?

DUBAI 00000485 002.2 OF 002






7. (C) Ahead of Iran's presidential election in June, the
magazine covered the government's decision to allow access to
Facebook and social media websites in Iran. After the election
they covered the IRIG's reversal - access to Facebook was once
again blocked. However, they also included instructions on how
to circumvent government filters to access Facebook. After the
issue's distribution, she received a call from a friend employed
in the Ministry of Islamic Culture and Guidance, who instructed
her to avoid publishing such material in the future (NOTE:
Government censors review certain publications such as books
prior to their publication whereas magazines and newspapers
generally are reviewed only after publication. END NOTE.) The
magazine was not otherwise punished, which she attributed to the
magazine's apolitical nature and lack of other offenses.




8. (C) They have not published similar content since but have
not shied away from providing technical assistance to the "Green
Movement." She said they have received calls and met with
individuals requesting technical assistance, particularly in
overcoming IRIG internet filtering, but also in other areas.
(NOTE: It is not clear if she simply deemed all those seeking
help to be members of the "Green Path" opposition or if she met
with individuals actually associated with the movement. END
NOTE.) She was somewhat strangely unconcerned with the
potential consequences of providing such assistance, commenting
that she has not participated in the protests and is not
political.




9. (C) COMMENT: The publisher's comments offer some insight into
a few areas of interest. The easy availability of U.S.-origin
items despite sanctions is consistent with other anecdotal
reporting, though such goods are generally more expensive in
Iran. END COMMENT.
EYRE