Starting in 2001 as a blogger and subsequently transitioning into a professional journalist, Mahmud Farjami has collaborated with and contributed to various media outlets both within and outside of Iran, delivering content in both Persian and English. Below, you will find a glimpse of Mahmud Farjami’s notable media collaborations:
Mahmud Farjami (Ph.D. in Communications, journalism has also published more than 300 articles and essays. While studying for his Master’s degree in philosophy at IAU in Tehran in 2001 he began to work for the media as a satire writer, reporter, and technical consultant for newcomer online medıa.
As one of the first computer literates familiar with journalism, Mahmud was invited to launch leading Persian web journals such as “Baztab”.Around 2003, that site turned into the most popular news site in Iran. Mahmud made contributions as an editor and columnist until the site was banned by the government in 2007.
Mahmud also served as an editor for the Iranian Labour News Agency, the first private Iranian news agency, and as Editor-in-Chief of the Tehran biweekly Peyk-e Bargh. In the meantime, he also published his works in Iran’s leading newspapers, such as the Hamshahri and Shargh dailies and the Kheradnameh monthly, and on websites, such as Gooyanews and his personal weblog debsh.com. As one of the first Iranian bloggers, Mahmud established iTanz.net in 2006, which became the main hub for contemporary Persian satire in Iran, with many leading Iranian and Afghan satirists from various countries contributing to the site. As the most-cited Persian website promoting humor, cartoons, and scholarship on humor, iTanz received a lot of attention, including from the Iranian authorities, who did not tolerate its critical stance or its popularity. Although filtered since 2009, iTanz.net continues its activity and has become more and more recognized by those interested in Persian satire.
After founding the editorship of Fararu.com, Mahmud has not accepted any full-time jobs, preferring instead to read and write more about satire, along with working for media as a part-time essayist and political satirist. He wrote daily political satire for the daily Tehran-e Emrouz [Tehran Today], for the Fararu and Ayandehnews websites, and for many other media outlets.
Mahmud’s articles about Persian satire for BBC Persian, Tehran Review, Radio Zamaneh, Kheradnameh, Shargh, and Hamshahri gradually took on a more scholarly twist. At one point, he was invited to produce a weekly program for Radio Goftegoo, a radio station that concentrates on satire in Persian literature and journalism. The program, entitled “Tanz-Goftar,” was written and hosted by Mahmud and aired weekly for around one year.
While editing the special issues of Kheradnameh, a philosophical monthly on humor, Mahmud noticed the necessity for methodological developments in the study of Persian humor. Subsequently, he decided to strengthen the rigor of his research through academic scholarship.
Mahmud has also written and performed some comedy and satiric works, including more than 70 satiric items for the Holland-based Radio Zamaneh, tens of humorous items for Radio Javan, and some standup comedies in Iran and other countries in both Persian and English. He has also published tens of essays and articles on analyzing content and the function of media for Shargh, BBC Persian, Tehran Review, Radio Zamaneh, and Kheradnameh.
While in self-exile, Mahmud started his Ph.D. in journalism at the School of Communications at USM, a state university in Malaysia.
He has been active on social media including Facebook and Instagram, has his own channels on Youtube and Telegram (on with some of his single videos reached more than million views) and host a popular talk podcast show called Shabcheraghun. He is being followed by more than 150,000 people, which is increasing.
As an Iranian writer, journalist, activist, and political satirist, Mahmud has often been hosted or interviewed by international media, including:
BBC Persian, Pargar (four times since 2015 including “Are Iranians more prone to the tragic strain?“ and “Ethnic jokes“, hosted by Dariush Karimi)
“Political Satire and Hassan Rouhani”, hosted by Siamak Dehghanpour, VOA, Ofogh, Voice Of America Television.
”Satire in Iran a ‘risky’ practice“, interviewed by Andrew Bolton, SBS, World News Australia Radio.
”The life of a political satirist in Iran“, hosted by with Geraldine Doogue, ABC Radio, Saturday Extra.
“Mi país, tu país“, An essay based on interview to him by Reuben Morales, Venezuelan journalist and satirist, Querre Querre.