An Analysis of Institutional Formation, Vulnerabilities, and Governance Challenges of Online Audio-Visual Platforms in Iran

The rapid evolution of communication technologies and the expansion of digital platforms have introduced new challenges to media governance systems across countries. In Iran, the growth of online audio‑visual services and the emergence of video‑on‑demand (VOD) platforms have highlighted the need to reconsider existing media regulatory mechanisms. This study aims to identify and analyze the challenges and vulnerabilities of the regulatory system governing pervasive audio‑visual services in Iran. The research adopts a qualitative content analysis approach based on documentary data, including expert discussions, policy documents, and published statements by stakeholders in this field. The data corpus encompasses perspectives from regulatory authorities, policymakers, private‑sector actors, and media scholars. The findings indicate that the regulatory system for pervasive audio‑visual services in Iran faces multi‑level challenges that can be categorized into seven main groups: perceptual challenges related to understanding technological developments and media convergence; legal challenges arising from conceptual ambiguity and the absence of comprehensive legislation; structural challenges associated with potential conflicts of interest and the limited independence of the regulatory body; functional challenges concerning transparency and stakeholder participation; economic and market‑related challenges; cultural and content‑related challenges; and challenges related to relationships among actors within the media ecosystem. The results suggest that the persistence of these challenges may limit the effectiveness of the regulatory system and hinder the development of the digital media industry. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of these vulnerabilities can provide a basis for rethinking media governance models in the era of digital platforms.