Media Policy; Net Neutrality and Public Interest in Iran

Net neutrality has attracted the attention of media policymakers in recent years. They need to understand the positive and negative effects of this concept on the public interest in order to be able to determine how and when they should have a policy intervention in this issue. Therefore, the present study aims to analyze net neutrality in relation to public interest. The qualitative research approach and content analysis Has been adopted. Participants in the study consisted of 10 media policymakers, lawyers and media industry experts and in-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted. Due to the prevalence of coronavirus and the need to keep social distance, researchers have used online chat software to conduct interviews. The results of data analysis are based on the conceptual framework adopted (Fairness, Pluralism of views and agenda setting), in the form of three main themes (network neutrality and Fairness in media industry, network neutrality and Pluralism of views in media industry and agenda setting by media). Finally, the relationship between these main themes and the theme of "network neutrality and public interest" was explained.