![\"iran](\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/iran-ntv-simaye-azadi-telethon-27th-1.jpg\")
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In an era where international political broadcasting is increasingly underwritten by state treasuries, an underground Iranian opposition television network has demonstrated the enduring power of a purely grassroots financial engine. Over five days and 47 hours of continuous live transmission, Simay-e Azadi<\/a>\u2014also known as Iran National Television\u2014concluded its 30th annual national telethon, drawing $7.54 million from callers across North America, Europe, Australia, and, most notably, the heavily surveilled cities of Iran.<\/p>\n The marathon fundraising drive unfolded against a dark political backdrop in Tehran: a sharp spike in state executions targeting political dissidents and detainees from recent January uprisings, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1988 prison massacres<\/a> in which 30,000 political detainees were systematically killed. Operating for three decades as an independent Persian-language broadcaster, Simay-e Azadi has maintained its 24-hour satellite footprint without accepting financial assistance from foreign governments.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udea8 Message from Ghezel Hesar Prison for Simay Azadi\u2019s 30th Telethon<\/p>\n In a message from Ghezel Hesar Prison, political prisoner and PMOI supporter Loghman Aminpour, imprisoned for nearly a decade, expressed his support for Simay Azadi\u2019s Telethon:<\/p>\n \u201cI regret that I cannot offer you\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/S0amCkM7TH<\/a><\/p>\n — SIMAY AZADI TV (@en_simayazadi) August 9, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n