International media outlets, amid intensifying competition and wide transformations in the global communications system, play a central role in representing national identity, conducting media diplomacy, and shaping international public opinion. The IRIB World Service, as the country’s external broadcasting arm, has notable capacities but faces challenges including media-related sanctions, limited funding, restricted access to modern technologies, and fierce competition. Collaboration with cross-border media offers an effective strategy to enhance production quality and overall impact.



This study explores cooperation opportunities with foreign-facing media to strengthen IRIB’s international networks. Employing a qualitative approach and thematic analysis, data were gathered via semi-structured interviews with media experts and practitioners and then analyzed. Findings identify primary collaboration areas: joint productions, training and experience exchange, sharing technologies and infrastructure, leveraging like-minded media outlets, developing professional communication networks, and establishing mechanisms for media synergy.



Such partnerships can lower production costs, boost staff skills, improve content and technical standards, broaden audience reach, and reinforce the national broadcaster’s international standing. Consequently, targeted and strategic cooperation with cross-border media should be regarded as essential for enhancing the World Service’s output. Implementing this requires designing sustainable cooperation frameworks, capitalizing on shared media capacities, and transitioning from a predominantly state-controlled model toward participatory, networked approaches in international broadcasting.