Propaganda in Iran
Propaganda in The Islamic Republic of Iran originates from the Iranian regime and "private" entities, which are usually state controlled. The propaganda mainly portrays the Iranian leadership and its policies while demonizing nations that do not agree with Ayatollah Khamenei's policies and views.
Garth Jowett and Victoria O'Donnell have provided a concise, workable definition of propaganda: "Propaganda is the deliberate, systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate cognitions, and direct behavior to achieve a response that furthers the desired intent of the propagandist."[1] Propaganda can be disseminated through any medium, television, film, newspaper, posters, murals, political actions, rallies, violence, and websites. Propaganda in The Islamic Republic of Iran is also about the information that is not broadcast to the masses due to censorship.
Information is seen as a weapon within The Islamic Republic of Iran. Like any other weapon, the use of this information can be used for constructive or destructive purposes. Within Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei knows and understands this concept as those who try to speak truth to power, or use information in a way that is critical of the Iranian Regime, are in most cases, silenced.[2] The Iranian regime uses information as a means to control the population of Iran through various methods and mediums. Jailing journalists, physically removing satellite dishes from the roof's of its citizens, and producing and the messages and programming its citizens consume occurs on a daily basis within Iran. Tho, it might be Israeli propaganda.
Censorship in Iran
- One of the biggest issues Iran is criticized for is censorship. Aided by Western technology from Nokia and Siemens, the Iranian Regime has created one of the most sophisticated censorship platforms created in modern times.[3] Not only is this practice unethical but it violates Iranian citizen's Freedom of Speech which is a Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights matters because the declaration was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, of which The Islamic Republic of Iran is a member.[4]
Methods
Historical Revisionism
- Iran used the Riots in Britain to denounce the British for Human Rights violoations and offered to send an investigative team to find out what happened. The riots in Britain occured after the Iranian Green Movement was brutally oppressed in 2009, which tried to erase the memory of Death of Neda Agha-Soltan.[5]
Symbolism
Flag
The flags of nations are considered propaganda. Not only is the flag itself a representation of propaganda, but the flags of other nations, such as the United States and Israel, are used in Iranian Propaganda. Burning of the U.S. flag and Israeli Flag seem to occur at rallies against each. Flag burning is a propaganda tool, such as burning Effigies of world leaders.
Violence/Fear
- Through public executions, violent crackdowns on protests, and the kidnapping of Iranian citizens, both at home and abroad, the Iranian Regime hopes to to shape the political will of its citizens. With artists, film-makers, musicians, political activists, former politicians, and minority persecution, the UN human rights body has expressed its concern over Human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran.[6][7] It is the hope of
- On October 8, 2006, cleric Seyyed Hossein Kazemeini Boroujerdi was arrested for opposing Velaayat-e Faghih, advocating the separation of religion from state, and defending the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.[8] By censoring, and jailing all dissidents, the Iranian Regime promotes what it feels to be the correct ideology over the people. It then propagandizes the arrests, calling political prisoners enemies of the state, which strikes fear into the population of Iran. This creates a situation where the population can live in fear, or lash out, like it did after the 2009 Iranian Presidential election.
Political
- Political messages are printed, painted, and distributed in all forms in Iran. Not running up to elections, but in murals or large posters, this type of propaganda can have the big brother effect.
Judicial system of Iran
- Iranian Justice System has also been known to espouse propaganda. This is especially true in the prison system of Iran where Political prisoners were "incessantly bombarded with propaganda from all sides ... radio and closed-circuit television ... loudspeakers blaring into all cells even into solitary cells and `the coffins` [where some prisoners were kept] ... ideological sessions." Any reading material of a secular nature such as Western novelists, or even religious material that didn't agree ideologically with the Islamic Republic such as work by Ali Shariati was banned.[9][10]
The Basij
- The Basij are the local and grassroot supporters of the Iranian government. "The mission of the Basij as a whole can be broadly defined as helping to maintain law and order; enforcing ideological and Islamic values and combating the "Western cultural onslaught"; assisting the IRGC in defending the country against foreign threats; and involvement in state-run economic projects."[11] The Basij are groomed from a young age to love and respect the government, often being rewarded for their loyalty. They act as the secret police of the Soviet Union, the KGB did, and now the FSB does. Within the police state of Iran, the Basij create intelligence networks of citizens to spy on one another, monitor online conversations, cell phone conversations, and frequently target intellectuals, journalists, opposition leaders and political organizers.[12] The Basij are similar to the way Hitler Youth were cultivated, and ultimately entered into the ranks of the NAZI's, except that the Basij also have their own organization for multiple age groups and its participants can hold other jobs, being called upon by the secret police forces when it deems necessary.
- With the IRGC's help and support, Basij members are trained in propaganda and political warfare techniques using media outlets. There are about 21,000 volunteer "reporters" that have trained with the IRGC on multiple waves of communication and media, which include social networks, television, radio, print media, and the internet.[13][14]
- According to Reporters Without Borders, "In Iran, the Revolutionary Guards recently announced their ambition to build their own spinternet by launching 10,000 blogs for the Basij, a paramilitary force under the Guards. This comes at a time when the Internet has become a major force in exposing corruption in the highest ranks of the Iranian leadership."[15] As well, cyber-police "are here to create a cyber police force inside the people’s mind,” said Hesamedin Mojtahed, the officer in charge of the booth. “People want to be informed of the dangers on the Internet,” he said. “We are here for them.”[16]
Secret Police
SAVAK
- The SAVAK was the National Intelligence and Security Organization of Iran from 1961 until 1979. They were the official secret police, domestic security and intelligence service established by Iran's Mohammad Reza Shah.[17] After Khomeini took over, SAVAK was dissolved and replaced with SAVAMA[18]
- SAVAK had it's own censorship office, "established to monitor journalists, literary figures, and academics throughout the country; it took appropriate measures against those who fell out of line. Universities, labor unions, and peasant organizations, among others, were all subjected to intense surveillance by SAVAK agents and paid informants. The agency was also active abroad, especially in monitoring Iranian students who publicly opposed Pahlavi rule."[19]
SAVAMA/VEVAK
- SAVAMA is the original name for the Ministry of Intelligence and National Security of the Islamic Republic of Iran (MISIRI). While it goes by other names, it operates in the same manner. It closely monitors and puts surveillance on those it deems a threat to the Iranian regime, both at home and abroad.
Military
- A video depicting a military parade for Ayatollah Khameini depicts the United States and Israel as the enemy. The use of the swastika to depict an imperialist power, like the Nazi's is used in conjunction with "U.S" and a Star of David. Through the performance, missiles break apart the U.S. symbol and Star of David, as well as turn into a Kalishnakov rifle which fires upon the enemy.[22]
Media
Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting
- Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting is the sole, official provider, of broadcast news to both the Iranian people and the rest of the world. IRIB operates many channels in a multitude of languages and is known to broadcast propaganda.[23][24] IRIB is the main hub for which all Iranian propaganda is created, and disseminated, throughout the world. The multiple channels that make up IRIB all have a specific purpose.
- On every IRIB channel, Israel is referred to as the "Zionist Regime".[25]
Press TV
- Press TV is known to be a propaganda station for The Islamic Republic of Iran. In an interview which featured a BBC representative and a Press TV, the BBC representative discusses how Press TV is a propaganda organ of the Islamic Republic of Iran.;[26]
- Another example shows an Iranian "protester" give a confession to being a member of the People's Mujahedin of Iran and causing dissent on the streets of Tehran.[27]
- Most of the programming on Press TV has a PBS type quality to it, except for the segment from Washington, D.C.[28] The station claims to be on par with CNN and the BBC in it's impartial reporting but that is not the case.[28]
IRINN
Cinema
- A propaganda video, with the English translated title of "The Coming is Upon Us - Israel Shall be Destroyed"[30], with 30 minutes translated by author Reza Kahlili. The "purpose of the project was to inform Muslims across the globe of the immediate coming of the last Islamic messiah. The Iranian leaders, now more than ever, feel that all the stars are aligned for such event.[31] The film also talks about how the Mahdi or 12'th Imam will return to fulfill his role on Earth.[32]
Conferences and Lectures
- The Islamic Republic of Iran held an anti-terrorism conference which featured representatives from "neighboring countries Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan as well as Sudan, Tajikistan, Mauritania and the Vice-President of Cuba and Ministers and other high-level delegates from 60 States, representatives of the United Nations (Officer in Charge of CTITF), the OIC, and other regional organizations as well as distinguished scholars and researchers and peace activists from all around the world participated in the Conference."[36] With Iran being a state-sponsor of terrorist activities, and many of the nations in attendance, including many of the African representatives, users of terrorism, the anti-terrorism conference is propaganda.[37][38][39] It was quite successful as well because the United Nations endorsed the meeting and sent a delegation to partake in the event.[39] During the event, "Iran's Supreme leader Ali Khamenei took the opportunity to excoriate western nations for "terrorist behaviors," and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad expressed his doubts about the September 2001 terrorist attacks on America – outrageously claiming that the U.S has benefited from those attacks, as it has, he added, from the Holocaust."[40]
Internet
- There are numerous State Sponsored websites which are considered the official mouthpieces of the Islamic Republic of Iran's government. These are examples of political propaganda, which either put a pro-Shah, pro-Government, pro-Iranian, Spin (public relations) on neutral material. The following websites also place Spin (public relations) or omit/censor any negative reporting on the Iranian regime, and promote the Iranian leadership's point of view on specific issues. They include:
- Every website listed contains examples of Iranian Regime propaganda, if not completely created as propaganda from the start.
Cyber Police
- Iran has created a Cyber Police unit because "Iranian officials say they must control which sites Iranians are able to visit, to prevent spying and protect the public from “immoral” material. The United States, they charge, is waging a “soft war” against Iran by reaching out to Iranians online and inciting them to overthrow their leaders.[41] From the Iranian Regime's standpoint, any free information is a threat to power. For this reason, the Cyber Police were created. The internet was a major factor for organizing and showing the world what was happening during the 2009 presidential election. The United States asked Twitter to postpone online maintenance in 2009 so that it would be available for Iranian protesters.[42]
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- The cyber police fall under the IRGC and the Basij.
Currency
- Iranian rial. Link this to the section in the regular propaganda page, specifically about the curencies and the history of rulers putting their faces on them.
- While currency seems a mundane form of propaganda, it has been used in the past to promote leaders, like the Iranian rial does with the Supreme Leader of Iran. This is especially powerful when the money is used internationally. Anoushiravan Ehteshami, a professor of international relations at Britain’s University of Durham, says southern Iraq is the only place outside of Iran where Iranian currency—the rial—is used.[43]
Iranian Propaganda Abroad
United States
Voice of America
- The Voice of America's Persian Service has come under scrutiny for following a pro-Tehran line. The controversy started with the Death of Neda Agha-Soltan (which has its own propaganda implications). VOA and their parent organization, Broadcasting Board of Governors, were very slow in reporting the events of the 2009 Iranian elections and subsequent student protests.[44] With upwards of 80% of the Iranian population getting its information from official government news agencies like IRNA, the VOA is supposed to report non-censored material or propaganda from the Iranian regime.[45] In Congressional testimony, it was shown that the VOA Persian network was broadcasting anti-American messages regularly and was being abused by the Persian networks staff to include: -Boycotting and even slandering people [VOA Staff] do not agree with, -Inadequate or late coverage of protests in Iran and complete lack of support for the freedom fighters (referring to the Death of Neda Agha-Soltan, - Not supporting and criticizing the US Policy, - and the list continues.[46]
Iran Lobby in the United States
- The Iran lobby in the United States is concerned with defending the Iranian Regime's image in the United States. By its nature, lobbying can be considered propaganda. As Lopez has written, "A complex network of individuals and organizations with ties to the clerical regime in Tehran is pressing forward in seeming synchrony to influence the new U.S. administration’s policy towards the Islamic Republic of Iran. Spearheaded by a de facto partnership between the National Iranian-American Council (NIAC), the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and other organizations serving as mouthpieces for the mullahs’ party line, the network includes well-known American diplomats, congressional representatives, figures from academia and the think tank world."[47]
Alavi Foundation
- The Alavi Foundation is the successor organization to the Pahlavi Foundation, a nonprofit group used by Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to advance Iran's charitable interests in America. Most of the charities income is from rent collected on the New York Fifth Avenue skyscraper the Piaget Building, which was built in 1978 under the Shah, who was overthrown in 1979.
- The FBI laid out a case against the Alavi Foundation that it was being used as a front group for the Iranian Regime. It was built in the 1970's by the Pahlavi Foundation to further the interest of then Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.[48] Some of the tenants of the foundation's properties are Islamic centers and schools.[49]
Israel
- Through Press TV, Iran places agent of influence throughout the world, which is what has occurred in Israel.[50]
Kurdish People / PKK
- A Press TV propaganda piece explains how the Kurdish People are disrupting life in Iran. It calls the PJAK terrorists and claims that the PKK/Kurdish Workers Party for blowing up gas pipelines. The video also claims that the PKK has killed multiple innocent Iranian civilians, enters cities and steals children, rapes women, and kills the men of towns and villages. Everyone interviewed in the video squarely blames PJAK for their problems. While all of these accusations may be absolutely true, the video is still propaganda because it is not impartial. The Press TV video enforces the Iranian Regime's ideals about the Kurdish people and interviews "middle east expert" William O. Beeman, who seems to have pro-Islamic Republic of Iran views.[51][52][53] Regardless of Beeman's political views, the propaganda piece quotes the "middle east expert" on the topic of why "PJAK and the PKK have different names" and describes how PJAK is receiving covert funding from the United States.[54] The Press TV commentator proceeds to describe how PJAK and the PKK are waging war with Iran, on behalf of Washington and Tel-Aviv.[54] The video is clearly anti-Kurdish, anti-United States, anti-Israel. Press TV reports are supposed to present facts and be unbiased.
China
Russia
Nuclear Propaganda
- The Iranian Nuclear Program utilizes propaganda through disinformation. Due to the multiple nations and foreign governing bodies that have Sanctions against Iran, Iran has had no choice but to pursue its perceived nuclear weapons program covertly. Iran has claimed that the nuclear program is peaceful[55], however, the most recent IAEA report[56] highlights research that may bring the world to a different conclusion.
- The government of Iran has made serial denials about the weaponizing the atom and claims that the IAEA is controlled and biased by Western nations, especially the United States of America.
- Based on an Associated Press article, the re-defection of Shahram Amiri to Iran was to be used as a great propaganda campaign against the United States and the West.[57] The Iranian Regime spun the news of Amiri's defection to the United States and subsequent re-defection back to Iran as a kidnapping plot. The reason's for his re-defection range in Iranian media, but most claim that he was kidnapped and/or tortured, and "escaped" back to Iran. This type of publicity is viewed in the West as a cover up, but the way it is portrayed from the Iranian standpoint, shows that a devout Iranian, who would never betray the regime, escaped the "Great Satan" to return to Iran.
- On 13 November 2011, it was reported that a major blast at a military base killed Brig. Gen. Hassan Moghaddam, along with 16 other IRGC members.[58] "Under General Moghaddam, Iran’s missile program has tested several longer-range designs, including the Shahab-3 missile. According to intelligence estimates, the Shahab-3 is able to reach to 1,250 miles — far enough to hit Israel, Iran’s archenemy, and the Iranian government has emphasized that that is precisely the reason for its development."[58] Iran officially claims that the explosion was an accident that occurred while moving ammunition to a more appropriate site.[59] Speculation is that the Israeli's blew up the base but Iran has stuck to its formal explanation. Following the explosion, "...because of concerns about Israel spies — [Iran] increased the prison term for Iranian citizens who travel to Israel from three months to five years".[59] Upon further satellite evidence released on 30 November 2011, the destruction of the military base was much greater than the Iranian Regime led on.[60] When it comes to military matters and capabilities, this propaganda response is to be expected.
See also
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Culture |
Youth |
Quran |
Sports |
Ashena |
Maaref |
Payam |
Salamat |
Tejarat |
Alborz |
Goftegoo |
Ava |
Nava |
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External links
References
- ^ Garth Jowett and Victoria O'Donnell, Propaganda and Persuasion, 4th ed. Sage Publications, p. 7
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/panorama/hi/front_page/newsid_9451000/9451492.stm
- ^ Rhoads, Christopher. "Iran's Web SPying Aided By Western Technology: European Gear Used in Vast Effort to Monitor Communications". The Wallstreet Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124562668777335653.html. Retrieved 11/30/2011.
- ^ http://www.iran-un.org/
- ^ Holland, Lisa. "Iranians Use London Riots as Propaganda". Sky News. http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16046569. Retrieved 11/11/2011.
- ^ "Iran: UN human rights body concerned over executions and minority rights" (Webpage). United Nations Human Rights. 3. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40304&Cr=iran&Cr1=. Retrieved 11/11/2011. "The UN Human Rights Committee said it was disturbed by the continuing discrimination and arrest of religious and ethnic minorities and homosexuals, as well as by the frequency of capital punishment imposed on juveniles, expressing alarm at the vague definition and the wide range of offences for which it is used."
- ^ http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs/2011/111020_Iran.doc.htm
- ^ http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2011/10/irgc-propaganda-arm-includes-15000-reporters.html
- ^ Abrahamian, Ervand (16). Tortured confessions : prisons and public recantations in modern Iran ([Nachdr.] ed.). Berkeley, Calif. [u.a.]: Univ. of California Press. ISBN 0520218663.
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- ^ http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13900715000326
- ^ http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2011/10/irgc-propaganda-arm-includes-15000-reporters.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Tehranbureau+%28tehran+bureau%29
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- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToCUt4lljpM&feature=player_embedded
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_qWPmzxyp4
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- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hABtTDj2KTM&feature=related
- ^ http://atimetobetray.com/blog/iran-leaders-the-coming-is-upon-us-%E2%80%93-israel-shall-be-destroyed-watch-the-video/
- ^ Kahlili, Reza. A Time to Betray: the astonishing double life of a CIA Agent inside the Revolutionary Guards of Iran (New York: Threshold Editions, 2010).
- ^ http://www.theblaze.com/stories/new-iran-propoganda-vid-trumpets-imminent-return-of-12th-imam-the-coming-is-near/
- ^ BBC (25). "Iran president in NY campus row" (Web Page). BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7010962.stm. Retrieved 11/30/2011.
- ^ Bonifield, Alexandra (October 1, 2007). "Ahmadinejad visit, speech part of propaganda machine". USA Today.
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- ^ a b http://www.unwatch.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=bdKKISNqEmG&b=1319279&ct=10890065
- ^ Voice of America. "Iranian Government Holds Terrorism Conference". Voice of America. http://www.voanews.com/policy/editorials/middle-east/Iranian-Government--124890829.html. Retrieved 12/1/2011.
- ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/iran-cyber-police-cite-us-threat/2011/10/27/gIQA1yruSM_story.html
- ^ Erdbrink, Thomas (October 29, 2011). "Iran cyber police cite U.S. threat". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/iran-cyber-police-cite-us-threat/2011/10/27/gIQA1yruSM_story.html. Retrieved 11/30/2011.
- ^ http://www.cfr.org/iran/irans-involvement-iraq/p12521
- ^ http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/112/65628.pdf - p. 3
- ^ http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/112/65628.pdf - p.25
- ^ http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/112/65628.pdf - pp. 35-37
- ^ http://www.analyst-network.com/articles/117/RiseoftheIranLobbyTeheransfrontgroupsmoveonandintotheObamaAdministration.pdf
- ^ Farrell, Michael. "What's known about Iran-linked Alavi Foundation?". The Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2009/1114/p02s10-usgn.html. Retrieved 12/1/2011.
- ^ Glovin, David. "Alavi Foundation Is Iran Front, U.S. Says in Lawsuit (Correct)". Bloomberg News. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aA6SZIk_JW04. Retrieved 12/1/2011.
- ^ Izikovich, Gili. "Israeli MK: Iran TV's Palestinian correspondent is a foreign agent". Ha'aretz. http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israeli-mk-iran-tv-s-palestinian-correspondent-is-a-foreign-agent-1.395684.
- ^ http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/TPV3/Voices.php/2010/07/01/prof-william-o-beeman-iranians-deny-the-
- ^ http://truthout.org/debunking-top-7-myths-irans-middle-east-policies/1305944848
- ^ http://wbeeman.blogspot.com/2011/05/william-o-beeman-review-of-tehran.html
- ^ a b http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP-ubk1gNNg
- ^ http://www.un.int/iran/facts_about_peaceful_nuclear_program.pdf
- ^ http://isis-online.org/uploads/isis-reports/documents/IAEA_Iran_8Nov2011.pdf
- ^ http://articles.boston.com/2010-07-16/news/29314226_1_amiri-washington-and-tehran-nuclear-program
- ^ a b "Blast Kills Commander at Iran Base". The New York Times. 13 November 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/14/world/middleeast/iran-blast-kills-revolutionary-guards-commander-at-base.html?_r=1. Retrieved 11/30/2011.
- ^ a b Bennett, Dashiell. "Did Israel Blow Up an Iranian Missile Base?". The Atlantic Wire. http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2011/11/did-israel-blow-irans-missile-base/44931/. Retrieved 11/30/2011.
- ^ Broad, William J. (29 November 2011). "Images Show Devastation at Iran Base After Blast". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/30/world/middleeast/satellite-images-suggest-blast-obliterated-iran-military-base.html. Retrieved 11/30/2011.