Barzegar's aim is to further develop the news offerings for Iran and make use of social media to reach even more users. “I am honored to join this team of brilliant journalists at DW and shape the programming for Iran,” Barzegar said in Bonn. “My experience as managing editor at BBC and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has now given me the unique opportunity to develop DW’s offerings and to convey democratic values. Germany’s international broadcaster has a long and successful history of building bridges throughout the world. To be a part of the DW family is a strong motivator.”

DW Director of Programming Gerda Meuer: “Iran is one of the most heavily regulated target markets of Deutsche Welle and the blocking of our programs there by the government is completely unacceptable. Fortunately citizen use of tools to bypass censorship is widespread and objective information from international sources is in high demand.”

“Under the direction of Jamshid Barzegar, our Farsi service will reach our target audiences with a profile-oriented program,” said Meuer. “It is very important for DW to contribute to improving freedom of speech in Iran.”

Barzegar has been working as a journalist for almost 30 years. He first worked for numerous print media outlets in Tehran, then for the BBC in London and Vienna. He has produced, among other things, eight TV documentaries on Iran. After two years with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, he returned to the BBC in 2008, where he was responsible for the Persian-language radio and online service for Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Barzegar has been a frequent guest on television and radio broadcasts and is the author of several books.