During his career Behnoud produced and presented programmes for the National Iranian Radio and Television, and he founded a number of newspapers and magazines many of which were banned with the advent of 1979 Islamic revolution of Iran, with the editor and senior members of staff being arrested.

In 1979 Massoud Behnoud became the chief editor of the weekly Tehran Mosavar, which was shut down by the Islamic government after 30 issues during the crackdown of all non-governmental and independent newspapers.

[4] From 1979 till 1985, after the closure of Tehran-e Mosavar and of the trade union of Iranian journalists Massoud Behnoud didn't have any possibilities to continue his work.

The court accused him of "having provoked public opinion, insulting the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and the commander of the Revolutionary guards".

[4] Serving a period of six months, two of which he spent in alleged solitary confinement, Massoud Behnoud was released on temporary bail of approximately US$40,000.