Iran News Media

This semester the Middle East has seen an ordeal of unrest and revolts. It started in Tunisia on Jan. 14 and spread like wildfire through many other Middle Eastern and Northern African (MENA) countries. Due to this unrest, the global media has kept its eye on all MENA countries. The media’s watchful examination on the region has brought about an important question: How is the media influencing their citizens? While keeping this question in mind, I took a look into the media in Iran.

Iran was not a large participant in the MENA unrests and calls for reform, and speculation can’t help but rise if it’s due to the information distribution. In order to evaluate the media structure in Iran, the knowledge that government is an extremely influential body in every aspect of life must be regarded.

The press in Iran is considered “relatively free,” even though every news publication is government owned. This means that although there is an overwhelming civilian want for newspapers to be more transparent, the papers are pressured to stay in line with the ideals of the government; if they don’t, there are severe consequences. The Internet in Iran is also relatively free. Although websites have been blocked in the past, the future looks bright for Iranian Internet use. The overwhelming majority of Internet users in Iran, roughly 43% of the population, enjoy the same type of websites as Americans do in the United States including blogging sites, Facebook and Google. As far as telecommunications is concerned, Iran ranks 29 in cell phone usage worldwide. This number is continually growing as the population increases.

Media censorship in Iran is tightly controlled. In the MENA scope of nations, Iran ranks second to worst in most censored and according to the Press Freedom Index, out of 178 nations, Iran ranks 175 in most censored. This is not shocking considering the government, being an Islamic Republic, wants to control the output of media. It is easy to detect the strict censorship in news articles such as the 2009 presidential election articles and the more recent killing of Osama Bin Laden.

One part of the media that is detectable in other nations is conglomerations. The United States and many other nations are filled with the; however, when looking into Iran’s media there is not one. Because the media is completely government operated, there is no room for conglomeration. The closest thing the media has to conglomeration is the two large news agencies that control all aspects of the news- from radio to print. IRIB and the IRNA are the two large media “conglomerates” that act as the censored mouthpieces for the government.

Globalization has affected many nations, including Iran. Iran’s population is majorly Islamic, and due to their religious affiliation, the civilians have strict and morals and values. These values transfer into daily activities. There hasn’t been much change in the older generations of the adult population as far as how they interact daily, but the young adult population has taken new products to heart. The young adults are the majority of Internet and telecommunication users, and value their right to use the tools of blogging and Face-booking. The youth of the nation hasn’t gotten as into Wii and computer gaming as other nations have. They still interact with each other to play soccer and go to school.

In looking back at the unrest and rebellions that took place at the start of the semester, it is clear to see why it didn’t flood effectively in Iran. The answer is simple: government censorship and control. The media structure in Iran is nearly the most censored in the world, and although it may be considered “relatively free” on paper, in reality and in comparison with other nations, it’s not at all.

OSAMA BIN LADEN DEAD Twice?

According to US intelligence and an announcement by President Obama, Osama Bin Laden was killed May 2 in Abbottabad, Pakistan during a special operations mission carried out by SEAL Team Six. The news that the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks had been killed sparked mass celebrations and, in contrast, a wave of conspiracy theories within and outside the US.

A nonprofit news website named RT: Question More came out with an article questioning the date of Osama Bin Laden's death. 

Osama Bin Laden

In the article it sates that Iranian Intelligence Minister Heyda Moslehi has information claiming Osama Bin Laden died from an illness before the US raid in Abbottabad. There are documents to prove it.

"We have credible information that Bin Laden died some time ago of a disease," Moslehi was quoted by ISNA news agency. "We believe that what the US is seeking is to overshadow the recent awakening in the region through the release of such reports."

In a FARS news report, Moslehi asked the questions millions are wondering, "Why don't they show him [his body]? Why have they thrown his corpse into the sea?"

Comments left after this article was produced read:
"Are you really going to rely on the US government for the truth?" -Robert Ortegon
"I believe it. This is clearly just a reelection stunt for Obama. Obama lied to the voters to get elected in 2008 and he is lying again." -Eric

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness: a spreading idea

Leader Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf

A speech made in Cairo, Egypt by President Obama in 2009 is still ringing in the ears of democracy-supporting Persians in Iran. Muslim leader Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf said at a conference in Seattle, Washington that he is “hopeful” Iran will release the two remaining imprisoned hikers in Tehran.

At the conference Friday, the Imam spoke on Islamaphobia and the “Arab Spring”- a desire of the Middle Eastern people to live in democracy. He recognized the countries have been suffering in centuries of colonial and authoritarian rule and feel that the “Arab Spring” is lasting.

He feels it will move country to country, similar to the way the French Revolution was sparked by the American. “My feeling is that Gaddafi’s days are numbered,” he said of the ruler that has ruled Libya for four decades.

Feisal Abdul Rauf was Imam of Masjid-al-Farah, a mosque in New York City from 1983 to 2009. In 2010 the Imam proposed the creation of an Islamic Community Center, Park51, located two blocks from Ground Zero.

The Community Center drew instant controversy due to its religious affiliation.

“They understood our vision,” the Imam said about the community board in support for Park51. “They knew this would be open to all the community, they knew me personally. They knew the opposition came mostly from outside the community.”

A new generation in the Arab world is arising called the “Arab Spring” that has been using the tools of globalization to further their quest for democracy.

‘We want what this guy [the US] has’ is the mentality of supporters of the “Arab Spring.” President Obama has tried to implement the values of what the US has since the start of his presidency. He has drawn similarities and common values between the Muslims and Americans.

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are the values that everyone wants, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf pointed out. Those are the values President Obama has shown the world the US embodies.

It takes a lot for people of another nation to recognize the positivity in another way of life. The Imam is conveying to Americans that people of Iran have realized the way of American life is positive and that Persians want the same things: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

OSAMA BIN LADEN DEAD

Newspapers around the globe made known Osama Bin Laden's death.

The New York Post made this common image of Bin Laden the entire front of their paper on Monday. The size of the print and amount of opinion in both the Post and Daily news is highly unusual for a normal newspaper publication. Because these are periodicals, it is more widely accepted. 

This Daily News headline says it all. It shows, based on these two publications, that there is a negative stigma and high hatred towards Osama Bin Laden within the US.

This Nicaraguan paper shows the facts sans opinion: "Bin Laden dies in a US operation in Pakistan." The article inside the paper has the details of the mission, as given by the US officials as well as images and commentary. The important thing to note is that with this publication as well as others outside the US, there isn't as much of a negative spin on Bin Laden because it was the US that was directly affected by the events surrounding 9/11.

Tehran Times

In Tehran, Bin Laden became the lead story of the day on Tuesday. The media in Iran, including this publication, is entirely government owned and operated. This means that the publishing of Bin Laden's death was a bold move by the government due to the fact that Iran is rumored to be financing organizations like Al Qaeda. 

When President Obama gave his speech to the American people late Sunday night, he made sure to note that the killing of Osama was a victory not just for the American people, but an international victory. Executing him meant the execution of a terrorist, but the execution of the world's most wanted man. 

As President Obama said, "Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader, he was a mass murderer of Muslims."

In Iran, the Tehran Times noted President Obama's speech and felt the efforts of the CIA was a bold move towards disrupting the moves of the Al Qaeda organization.  Iranian officials acknowledged the act of terrorism Osama dealt on the American people, but feels that waging a mass campaign and assuming occupation in multiple foreign nations was unnecessary in the hunt for Bin Laden.

"We hope that this incident will bring an end to war, conflict, and the killing of innocent people and help establish people in the region," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast stated. 

"This event clearly shows that there was no need to launch a massive military campaign to deal with a single person," he added. "The Islamic Republic of Iran, as one of the greatest victims of terrorism, condemns every kind of terrorism, such as the organized terrorism in the Zionist regime [Israeli state]."

The facts presented in the article published in Iran are all parallel to the facts presented in US publications.  The difference, however, is that the spokesman interviewed managed to back-handedly condemn the US for their occupation of Middle Eastern nations and for giving support to the Israeli nation. 

Although the newspapers in Iran were able to publish about Bin Laden's death, the publications were unable to focus on the negative aspects of his life. Bin Laden was noted as "allegedly the operational mastermind of the September 11 attacks." It is the government's way of censoring what the Iranian people can learn and know. 

President Obama spoke in the East Wing of the White House at an impromptu news conference late Sunday night.

Ring, ring, ring....anyone there?

In contrary to what may be popular belief, Iranians are very inter-connected to each other.

How? Telecommunication. In other words, Telephones.

The mobile market in Iran is, as expected, the least developed of all the nations in the Middle Eastern region. 66% of the mobile market is nationally operated under the name MTN Irancell. The Telecommunication Company of Iran is another mobile telecommunications operator. TCI is privatized and a 50% plus one share is owned by the state.

In order for mobile licenses to be given, the consortium must go through a difficult road. A third license tender, Tamin Telecom, was created in 2009 after a year of trying. The license was confirmed in 2010 and the telecommunications operator was able to begin running.

Despite the difficulties the companies must go through to get a license, it is a very enticing market. It is attractive because new operators can tap into 3G licenses that other nations such as the US have.

It is difficult for any form of digital media to flourish in Iran because the government regulations are very strict and censorship and internet media banning is very high.

Internet in Iran has grown from having 250,000 users in 2000 (3.8% of the population) to 33,200,000 users in 2010 (43.2% of the population). Although these numbers seem high, there is still about 57% of the population disconnected from the virtual online world.

The fact that the majority of people are lacking internet access and cell phone usage is shocking to see because in America it appears that almost everyone has internet and access to a cell phone.

An ongoing hiking mishap

Two hikers accused of espionage and illegal entry will go to trial on May 11 after spending 19 months in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison.

Joshua F. Fattal

Joshua F. Fattal and Shane M. Bauer, both 28, and Sarah E. Shourd, 32, were hiking near the Iranian border in June 2009 when they unknowingly entered Iranian territory. Shourd was released on bail last September for medial reasons.

Judges have delayed a verdict in the case twice before, crediting it to the absence of Shourd.

According to Fattal and Bauer’s lawyer, Masoud Shafiee, Shourd has been summoned in a letter from Iran’s Foreign Ministry to return, but it is unlikely she will.

“When there are several accused persons, a judge cannot postpone the case just because one of them is not present,” Shafiee noted. “The judge must issue separate verdicts for Shane and Josh. Sarah’s verdict can be issued in absentia, or her case alone can be delayed.”

In an interview in November, Shourd said that she, Mauer and Fattal were hiking on an unmarked dirt road and accidentally crossed into Iran.

Shane M. Bauer

Iranian officials have acknowledged that the border region is marked inadequately, but will continue the trials this month.

It seems obvious that the hikers were unaware they were in Iranian territory. It isn’t fair the government wont let them go. I feel for these three Americans. They should’ve been more aware of their surrounding or taken a guide to hike with them, but if the government knows it is easy to mistake the trail and border then it shouldn’t even be much of an issue in the first place. The border guard should’ve just told them to turn around.

The Freedom House reflects reality

The Middle East and North Africa Freedom House ratings for 2010 from least to most censored according to freedomhouse.org.

1. Israel
2. Kuwait
3. Lebanon
4. Egypt
5. Jordan
6. Algeria
7. Iraq
8. Morocco
9. Qatar
10. Bahrain
11. Oman
12. United Arab Emirates
13. Yemen
14. Saudi Arabia
15. Syria
16. IOT/PA [Israeli Occupied Territory/ Palestinian Authority]
17. Tunisia
18. Iran
19. Libya

The press in the nations listed above have a strict standard of censorship and freedom. Israel is the only country considered "free" in the MENA region. Kuwait, Lebanon and Egypt are considered "partially free" and the remaining 16 nations are considered not free.

For Iran, this means that the media is completely censored by the government. During the 2009 presidential bid of Mohammed Khamtami, many websites and news articles were blocked from the Iranian people.

Yaarinews.com, Yaan.ir, and Khatami.ir were three of the websites blocked during his running.

Why were these sites blocked?

According to Behrouz Shojaei, editor for one of the sites listed above noted the dispute between Khatami and Ahmadinejad as the reasoning.

"At midday, we learned that our Web sites have been blocked," Shojaei said. "Closing down our Web sites means hard-liners are not going to tolerate Khatami challenging Ahmadinejad."

The control the government has in daily news-media life is very prominent and easy to detect in Iran as well as other MENA nations. It is sad knowing that the people aren't given the proper information to choose their government. Although there are elections, it is still controlled because the people are given the information by the government itself.