Analysis of policy-making for home video networks in Iran within the framework of narrative policy analysis

This study employs the Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) to analyze the policy process governing Video on Demand (VOD) platforms in Iran. Focusing on the competing narratives of key stakeholders—regulatory bodies (SATRA), the cinema guild, domestic platforms, and audiences—through qualitative content analysis of 60 policy documents (2016-2024), interviews with 7 key actors, and media discourse analysis, the research identifies four influential rival narratives: 1) The Cultural-Security Threat narrative (promoted by security/judicial institutions), demonizing foreign platforms; 2) The Right to Choose and Cultural Development narrative (Ministry of Culture/filmmakers), advocating for audience rights; 3) The Support for Cinema Industry narrative (Producers' Association), emphasizing economic justice; and 4) The Technological Inevitability narrative (tech startups/Ministry of ICT), championing domestic innovation. Findings indicate the unstable dominance of the threat narrative in restrictive policies (e.g., Netflix filtering) and the emergence of the compromise solution "Filmnet" influenced by developmentalist narratives. The study concludes that policy fluctuations reflect the shifting power balance among these narratives, demonstrating the efficacy of NPF for policy analysis in the Iranian context.