Iran snapshots

I'm just back from 4 days in Iran - a great trip. I've long wanted to visit and wasn't disappointed. Four days is not time enough to understand anything about this most complex of societies - but I've returned with some vivid snapshots.

I was invited to give a keynote address to the International Radio Forum in Isfahan - co-organised with the ABU.

I gave what I thought was a broad and moderate, perhaps even bland, speech on the impact technology is having on broadcasters all over the world. (text here). However some problems with the translation and, I think, a predisposition to assume the worst of the BBC, meant it was greeted with press reports suggesting the BBC wanted to dominate Asia, that I had in some way belittled Iranian broadcasting and that I had changed my speech at the last moment in defiance of the ABU and organisers. None of this was true. To be fair, the Farsi news agency which ran these reports later accepted I hadn't said such things, although I'm not sure anything was corrected. (UPDATE: surprisingly, they have now run a correction and a longer item reporting what I actually said. Other reports here.)

The hardline Khayan newspaper also apparently reported my comments about the need for a global conversation.

For me it was an opportunity to show the BBC as a straightforward professional broadcaster - most in Iran regard us as a propaganda arm of government. I was repeatedly reminded of Britain's role in the coup of 1953 and how BP grew from the Iranian oilfields. They have long memories .

It was also an opportunity to explain what we try to do with our Farsi Radio and internet service and the forthcoming Persian TV channel. Of course, I recognised that discussion of the importance of openness, transparency and allowing the voices of the public to be heard would not necessaarily be a welcome message.

One of the snapshots I return with is a society of contrasts. Government officials would take a very stern line about the BBC formally, but then informally show great warmth and hospitality.

I flew in to Isfahan in the early hours sitting next to a young woman dressed in strictly islamic fashion with a modest chador and headscarf. But the book she was reading was "Why men love bitches: from doormat to dreamgirl", a woman's guide to holding her own in a relationship.

Iran is, as a colleague noted, a country of young people ruled over by old men whose pictures adorn the streets. And some of those young people would privately confide in losing faith with religious law and hoping for change. It struck me as a nervous country (perhaps for good reason) with deep frustration running through people wherever they sat on the political scale. But no-one, it seems, expects change soon.

Comments

[Robin Hamman]

Richard,

Really enjoyed this post. It gives a real insight into what must have been a journey full of contradictions and juxtapositions. Great photos too.

I hope you continue down this road!

Robin.

[A friend]

Richard, I'm glad you finally visited Iran. It heps you perhaps realise that it's a very fragmented and lively political system and still a strong majority, despite their fascination for new ideas and products from Europe and America, are deeply committed to the principles of independence, freedom and justice that were at the heart of the revolution.

But I think it's unfair to expect them to forget what the UK has done to Iran. After all, the UK government's stance against Iran's nuclear programme is happening right now in front of them. It's not history. And they are also not stupid in seeing how the FCC-funded BBC World Service is participating in the FCC psy-op war against Iran on issues such as the nuclear programme, Iraq, support for Hezbollah and Hamas, etc.

Even if your wish for Iranians to have a shorter memory ever came true, nothing has changed on the UK government's side. It is still as arrogant and as exploitive and brutal. Don't underestimate the 'brown's intelligence. They can't be fooled easily any more.

[A friend]

Sorry for the typos, by the way. It was in a rush.

[Mohammad Memarian]

Hi

a hint for your next trip to Iran: if you want to get a much better understanding of the society whose face is much different from what's going on in its depth, try to find a friend in the city you are about to visit and he/she may help you make the most of your 'opportunity'.

good luck

[Sepand Siassi]

In response to the comment above posted by "A friend" on May 24, 2008 at 01:47 PM, which I believe is a comment by a friend of mine,

In Mr. Sambrook's defense, he never said Iranians should have a shorter memory. He merely stated a fact that he saw, that Iranians "have long memories." He didn't comment on whether that's a good or a bad thing, or what kind of memories Iranian should have instead.

[Bahram]

How could we forget the role the britishs have played in Iran as well as broder middle east?You guys are still imposing(trying to)the same policies but in different way, last time I checked you kept large troop numbers in Iraq. occupation and grid for oil that is what you offered us that is what we remember.

[Esfandiar]

I think the fact that they think of you as propaganda arm of the government is not that far from truth. Certainly you do act very professionally and fairly reporting the internal UK affairs. But when it comes to the foreign political side of the news, your programmes are by no standards fair. Admittedly there is not much inaccuracy but the coverage is quite "selective" and biased in favour the government's policies. Hardly ever anything positive is said about the countries that have problems with the UK government, hardly ever the coup of 1953 and British role in it is discussed. There is no denying the devastating consequences of British intervention in Iran's internal affairs, so why when Iran is so much under the spotlight there are no documentaries discussing these issues and getting to the root of the problems. Have the US people forgotten the US embassy incident of 1979? this is one incident that hurt no one and had little affect in their history. But you hear about it once in a while on your shows... you be the judge.

[Siavash]

You are right We as a Iranian Trapped, stucked
in Coup of 1953, whatever we gaind, it was
after Coup of 1953, alot of progress Iran had after coup. but a few organization gave brain wash to people for many years and still people
are going wrong direction. which coup can last
long for 37 years if people dosent like regime
(Goverment)? which coup can be Succesful if people dose not want it ? if Shah was a dictator
why he was sending thousand and thousand student
out to western university ? not to other place ?
he, did not know when this yongs coming back thay
want democrocy ? he knew all this, because he was
trying naturally an gradualy sets evrything
ready for next generation.
yes unfortunetly we are stucked to a wrong Idea
that made us torn to pieces people.
mosadegh was a Nationalist,and very good man but
without Patience,and without enough experience for
a polotical battle with world. he was verey good
for a war and battle with world.
I believe bouth man, Shah and Mosadegh where best
man for Iran, but we people are not a good citizen for Iran. we want everything to be ready
for us witout any participating.
it is almost 30 years, exile Iranian in free
country, what thay did for Iran and trapped Iranian by Molla,s, nothing, there was no Sawak
and there was no Shah, why they could not solve
even one of thair problems ? Iranian problems
are (Iranians), not Khomini or Shah or mosadegh.
Iranian problem will go on till they stucked in
coup 1953. sorry for my poor english.

[morteza]

اگر توی طرز فکر شما اعتقادی به قیامت باشه که فکر نمی کنم در پیشگاه پروردگارباید جواب این حرفهایتان رابدهید

[Karim`]

Dear Richard Hi

You never could and would be able to know Iranian
people as they really they are ,very unique . they are one important part of historic triangle

of Tuke _Arab _ Iran in Midle - east and yet western know Arab and and Turk but not Iranians
Why !? they never tell you the truth of what
they have in their heart !!! they never trust
anyone , Shah after 37 years rulling when he saw
millions in streets against himself ,he wrote
he never could trust his wives!? now You as
English!!!and BP friend expected what!???

[jalil]

If you show ppeople thousands of these pics to show iran some thing else as you and your-run by state media want never can wipe the ugly immage of your country from iranians people , we (people of I.R.OF IRAN)Think of UK as " an old deceitful fox which never try to do a damn thing in faivorit of others if dont belive ask our historical documents till now
If belive in democracy show my comment

[M.H.Saei]

Hi sir
As an Iranian that was born in Isfahan, I was really disappointed by your log from beautiful city of Isfahan.
Unfortunately indeed I'm a communication researcher!!! and I know the meaning of "Objectivity" that BBC Claims.
You know I'm so sorry that your souvenir as vivid snapshot from Iran and Isfahan is two distorted picture that I don't know what they try to prove about Iran and The Iranian.
At the end I congratulate your outstanding trying for objectivity and unique perceiving of beauty vividly shown in your photos from beautiful city of Isfahan (a city that has half beauty of entire world-Isfahanians say)

[zahra]

Hi
i just say to you i am sorry for you.you can not know iranian people.you are a big lier.

[a]

http://www.rajanews.com/News/?29376

[Abbas Mohammadi]

Dear BBC Manager:
There is nothing positive in your report about Iran. Even you have not taken your fair view by selecting these two bad pictures from my country. Iranian knows you as the son of bitches. You need to have these disshonest behavior, becuase a small island needs this fake routine, to keep itself in front of global line.
You are the biggerst liers in the world and you sell your mothers just for your benefit and ignore all the facts.

[Motahareh]

u dont know Iranian people with a little trip!

[ehsan]

hello
dear richard!!!
it is so hard for iranian to forget the happens than effect them badly and I think it is for every country people.
as americans cannot frget Vitnam war,japonies cannot forget nuclear bomb in hiroshima by USA,Palestinians cannot forget occupation of their country by Zionist(Israil),iranian cannot frget the roll of BBC in coup of 1953 and its sever rsults(colonization of iran by USA and UK)

[ehsan]

hello
dear richard!!!
it is so hard for iranian to forget the happens than effect them badly and I think it is for every country people.
as americans cannot frget Vitnam war,japonies cannot forget nuclear bomb in hiroshima by USA,Palestinians cannot forget occupation of their country by Zionist(Israil),iranian cannot frget the roll of BBC in coup of 1953 and its sever rsults(colonization of iran by USA and UK)

[mousavi]

We all know every thing about BBC and its supporters. please stop telling these lies.

[Richard Sambrook]

Well - this seems to be the most commented upon post I've ever had. Thanks for all of your comments, even the ones calling me a liar (which I'm not by the way). I genuinely appreciate you taking the time visit this site and to comment.
I don't pretend to know or understand anything about Iran on the basis of one very short visit. But I'm very pleased I had the opportunity to go there and hope I'll be allowed to again one day. In the meantime, as I said in Isfahan, I believe communication between people, communities, cultures and countries can only be a good thing and the start of mutual understanding....

[Kay]

Hi Richard,

It's interesting to see the reaction to your speech in Iran and to the plan to air TV programs for Iranian viewers. There are currently over twenty Iranian satellite channels stationed mostly in the U.S. that broadcast to Iran; they mostly have a political tone and are clearly not objective in what and how they report the news. Yet, no one, including those in Iranian leadership, takes them seriously. After your speech, I have seen several negative articles against BBC in several popular political websites in Iran. It seems that at least a part of Iranian leadership is very concerned about the potential popularity of your Persian TV programs and worried over the possibility of losing a significant audience that would switch to BBC to view both entertainment and news programs. News that at least is more objective and believable that other news sources inside and outside Iran. It seems you’re on the right track!