NEW MEDIA PRACTICES IN IRAN: A MIXED METHODS STUDY

The aim of the study is to reveal the current state of Iran, which has more different structures than other countries in terms of political, social and cultural, in the new media area. In the study, a mixed methods research was conducted to reveal the existing situation and the mixed methods convergent parallel design was used in the research. The interview method, one of the qualitative research methods and the survey, one of the quantitative reasrch methods were used in the research. The sample of the interview method is a senior official at the Ankara Embassy of Iran, who is selected by means of purposive sampling. The sample of the survey is 124 Iranian people, who are selected by means of purposive sampling method. According to the results obtained from the analysis of research data, there are some restrictions in the new media environment in Iran, but most of the internet sites and social networks can be accessible is in general. Restrictions of the Internet and new media in Iran are being implemented because of the ethical reasons, insecurity about foreign countries and the willingness of the country's government to prevent or control opponents. Despite partial restrictions, most of the Iranian population access the internet and highly use the platforms of this virtual network.