The Media, TV News

     An earlier posting said that TV rather than the printed press should be beating its breast about its shortcomings and public criticism. This was well illustrated in an article, reproduced in the excellent World Press Review (May,00), by Mohammad Ali Abtahi chief of staff of President Muhammad Khatami (why is one Mo-, the other Mu-?). Mo- complained that on CNN Christiane Amanpour depicted Iranian youth as interested only in partying, drinking, dancing and watching Western movies. Mo- was justified in complaining that she failed to depict the serious side of the protesting students. More importantly, it revealed that, for many Americans, modernization consists of just the things she depicted. What Peter tells you about Paul tells you more about Peter than about Paul.

Ronald Hilton - 4/30/00