Reaching Millionsof Television Viewers in Iran Each Week
Washington, D.C. - August 25, 2008; A live special broadcast from the Newseum in Washington D.C. focusing on the general U.S. election process; an exclusive interview from Jerusalem with Israeli President Shimon Peres; live reports on Sen. Barack Obama’s decision to choose Senator Joseph Biden as his running mate; the resignation of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf; a series of special reports on the prevalence of bribery in Iran and reports on electricity shortages throughout the nation; increasing Taliban military violence in Afghanistan; and a possible agreement between the U.S. and Iraq to withdraw troops top this week’s PNN Coverage.
SPECIAL BROADCAST FROM THE NEWSEUM
Newstalk - VOA/PNN hosted Newstalk live from the Newseum, on Friday, just three days prior to the opening gavel of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. Guests included: Mr. Kourosh Hangafarin, a member of Sen. John McCain's Finance Committee, Mr. Babak Yektafar, Editor-in-Chief of the internet based - Washington Prism, Manoucher Ameri, a founding member of the Iranian American Republican Council of America, and Obama supporters Ahmad Taghavaei and Hooman Fakhimi. Siamak Dehghanpour, a political and congressional reporter for PNN, hosted the special. Highlights included an introduction of the battleground states, their significance, and their respective electoral college votes, a discussion of potential running mates for Obama (which included the prescient statement by Mr. Fakhimi that with the current turmoil in the world affairs, the best choice for Sen. Obama would be Sen. Joseph Biden). The guests also discussed Sen. McCain’s short list of running mates (centered around Mass. Governor Mitt Romney), the use of negative advertising (it’s already started but look for it to intensify in September), the upcoming debates and their importance, foreign policy, and the role of race in the upcoming elections.
ISRAELI PRESIDENT SHIMON PERES ON PNN
News and Views, Aug. 25, Appearing on News and Views, Israeli President Shimon Peres appealed to the young generation of Iranian viewers telling them: “We don't hate you, we are not your enemy, we don't want to touch you, Let alone attack you.” But in his interview Mr. Peres also said that Israel currently views Iran as the main security threat to Israel and called Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad “the most dangerous man in the 21st century.” Mr. Peres also predicted that one day Iran and Israel would enjoy good relations.
SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN DEMOCRATIC VICE PRESIDENTIAL PICK
News And Views, Aug. 23, PNN interviewed Dr. Bahman Aghaii Diba, an international analyst about Sen. Barack Obama’s decision to pick Sen. Joseph Biden to be his vice presidential running mate. Diba said, “Sen. Biden is everything Sen. Obama is not.” Diba also said that Senator Biden brings experience to the Obama campaign and could go a long way towards attracting Blue Collar Voters.
News and Views, Aug. 24 PNN Interviewed human rights activist Morteza Anvari about Sen. Biden saying “Having Biden on the Democratic Party ticket, will help Obama against republican claims that he does not have enough foreign policy experience.”
IRAN ELECTRICITY SHORTAGE
News and Views, Aug. 20 - PNN updated viewers on Iran’s continuing and widespread energy crisis. The situation has resulted in energy rationing and in some cases rolling blackouts this year. But despite shortages, the government decreed the entire country be illuminated a week prior to and during the religious celebration of the 15th of Sha’ban, which occurred this year on August 16th. The decision was one of some religious significance as PNN reported that the conservative Tabnak news site published a letter from Ayatollah Shirazi in which he was asked if illuminating the country was the right thing to do considering the nations was in the midst of electricity cuts. The Ayatollah’s response was “people should save more so that it could add up to make the religious celebration magnificent.” PNN reported that one journalist was reporting the decision has prompted widespread dissatisfaction among citizens of Tehran, who criticized the government for not being more energy conscious. One interviewee said, “most of the lamps being used on this event consume a lot of energy and the government did not even care to use low energy lamps.
PAKISTANI POLITICAL CHANGE
News and Views, Aug. 18- PNN reported on Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf’s announcement of his decision to resign. In a televised address Monday, Musharraf told the country that he made his decision after consulting with his legal advisors and political allies. President Musharraf had been coming under increasing pressure following word that Pakistani’s ruling coalition was preparing impeachment charges against him. Musharraf’s decision to step down came after Pakistani’s ruling coalition announced they had finalized impeachment charges against him, and would bring them to the floor on Tuesday unless he resigned. He said the impeachment charges against him would not stand but that he wished to avoid a battle he believes would harm the nation. The charges claim Musharraf violated the nation’s constitution by imposing emergency rule in November 2008 and firing senior judges who could have challenged his second term as president.
News and Views, Aug. 18 - Kokab Farshori of Urdu TV appeard on NAV and said Musharraf’s replacement will not have near nearly as much power as his predecessor. He also suggested that dealing with Pakistan will now also be much more difficult for the United States considering they will have to work with the Pakistani Army Chief, the Parliament and the New President.
BRIBERY IN IRAN
News and Views, Aug. 17/19- PNN released a special three-part investigative report on Bribery inside Iran. PNN received numerous emails from different parts of Iran in which people outlined their experiences. PNN was able to contact 3 different viewers who had sent in their experiences: a retired teacher, a journalist, and a University student and interview them based upon their emails. According to an informal and unscientific poll based on the email responses instances of bribery seem to be most common among the judiciary, followed by the police and then by municipal authorities like county mayors and employees connected to government welfare funds like social security or civil centers. One of the most compelling stories in the series was about how one woman was told to stop pursuing her complaint against a finance manager in Tehran because the man routinely gave bribes to the Supreme leader’s office.
IRANIAN HEADLINES
48 Hours, Aug. 20 - In a story that suggests PNN’s role in shaping debate in the country, Iran’s Hard line newspaper Khayan ran a feature story criticizing the head of the American Iranian Council Dr. Hooshang Amirahmadi calling him the “first wheeler dealer to spend out of his own pocket.” The criticism was in response to Amirahmadi’s August 17 interview on PNN’s 48 hours. Admadi was read a viewer e-mail suggesting he was gaining monetarily from his work to normalize American/Iranian relations. Amirahmadi said his travel and all of his efforts were being paid out of his own pocket. Khayan’s reference to Amirahmadi’s comments speaks to the high level of VOA viewership inside Iran. Amirahmadi also spoke about his recent trip to Iran and about his continuing efforts to re-open some form of dialogue between the United States and Iran.
News and Views, Aug. 18- PNN interviewed Dr. Mossadegh’s grandson, Hedayat Matin Daftari, a political analyst who discussed Iranian history and its impact on the current theocracy in Iran. Daftari blamed the current situation in part on the 1953 Coup in Iran that brought the Shah back. Daftari said the coup crushed the people’s will and created a power vacuum that hard-line clerics occupied and used to gain power, eventually paving the way for the 1979 revolution.
RUSSIAN TROOPS INVADE GEORGIAN TERRITORY
News and Views Aug. 18, - Paul Goble from the Institute of World Politics reported on the regional instability caused by the Russian invasion of Georgia saying “We are facing a difficult and dangerous time, this puts the rest of the region in danger.” Goble believes the United States has spent the last fifteen years thinking of Russia as an ally and suggested that was a diplomatic blunder. “After all” he said, “this is the country that has helped Iran build its nuclear facilities”.
News and Views, Aug. 18, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev warned Georgian authorities Monday that they could they face punishment for what Russian claims was ethnic cleansing in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. PNN also reported on Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili’s expression of readiness to hold talks with Moscow once Russian troops leave Georgia.
News and Views, Aug. 19, - PNN reported there is little indication Russia is pulling troops out of the country, despite Russian officials statements to the contrary. Russian General Anatoly Nogovitsyn said Monday that his country's troops had begun withdrawing from the interior of Georgia to the breakaway region of South Ossetia. But, a spokesman for Georgia's Interior Ministry said there is still no sign of troop movement among Russian forces in Georgia.
News and Views Aug, 19- PNN interviewed Eugene Rumor of the National Defense University who said Russia’s goal in invading Georgia was in part to send a message to the international community that Russia is to be feared. But also, and perhaps more importantly, Rumor said that Russia wants to be respected. Rumor said Russia’s actions might not be in their long term best interests as there has been a significant backlash that might have a long term effect on Russia’s efforts to be integrated into the international community. Rumor suggested that a strong international reaction might be the only way to guarantee Russia doesn’t act unilaterally again.
News and Views Aug. 19, - In what was seen as a hopeful sign, NAV reported that Russia and Georgia exchanged prisoners taken during the last two weeks of violence. A Georgian government official said the exchange in the village of Igoeti included five Russians and 15 Georgians.
News and Views, Aug. 20 PNN reported that Russian President Dmitri Medvedev is again assuring the West that Russian forces will withdraw from Georgia by the end of the week. PNN also reported on the conversations held Tuesday between Medvedev and French Prime Minister Nicolas Sarkozy in which the Russian Prime Minister the Russian troops would pull back to South Ossetia or head home to Russia. Though Medvedev did say that he would leave some forces into what he called a ‘temporary security zone’ around South Ossetia.
News and Views, August 20 PNN interviewed Herman Pirchner, President of the Foreign Policy Council about the ongoing conflict between Georgia and Russia and its regional implications. Mister Pirchner said that Russia ultimately is working to further expand its territory in a throwback to their conduct during the Soviet era. Pirchner also said that Russia’s actions send a definite discouraging message to Ukraine and Georgia in regards to the eventual induction into NATO “In the light of resent actions by Russia and in order to avoid conflict with Russia Those two countries might not be so willing to hurry to join NATO.” In regards to the continuing efforts to isolate the Islamic Republic of Iran and it’s ongoing nuclear program Mr. Pirchner suggested that while Russia’s support for the IRI might increase in the short term, Russia, ultimately would support the international Community.
News and Views, Aug. 23- PNN reported that A U.S. Navy warship carrying humanitarian aid has arrived at the Georgian port of Batumi with supplies for people displaced by fighting between Russian and Georgian troops. The USS McFaul arrived today (Sunday) at the Black Sea port, the first of several American ships expected to deliver aid in the coming days.
IRAQ
News and Views, Aug. 18(live), PNN’s stringer in Iraq reported that Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora would travel to Baghdad this week to conduct trade talks with the Iraqi government. Siniora’s will be the first visit to Iraq by a Lebanese leader since the U.S. led invasion. Siniora’s visit comes on the heels of a visit by Jordanian leader King Abdullah just a few weeks ago. PNN also reported that US and Iraqi troops in Diyala province have found a number of roadside bombs and houses rigged with explosives. Iraqi officials say Iraq, and US forces arrested 99 militants. Also PNN reported that Iraqi forces have uncovered a bomb making hideout linked to Iraq’s revolutionary guard “Ghod’s” forces in Northern Baghdad.
News and views, Aug. 18(live)- PNN's stringer in Iraq reported that the U.S. will transfer the security of the largest province in Iraq, Al-Anbar, to Iraqi forces as part of a security agreement currently being negotiated between U.S. and Iraqi forces. PNN’s stringer also reported that Iraq is planning to build a canal, 146 Kilometers long along it’s boundary with Syria.
News and views, Aug. 19(live)- PNN’s stringer in Iraq reported that according to Iraqi officials and U.S. military sources Sadr militants who have been under training in Iran are now returning to Iraq to fight against US-led coalition forces. But PNN also reported that the security situation in Iraq has been improving rapidly, and Iraqi officials say 60 countries will reopen their embassies in Iraq by the end of the year. 2500 Guards will be posted to provide security for the embassies.
News and views Aug. 20 (live) - PNN reported on the visit of Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora to Iraq for trade talks. Siniora met with Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad today. PNN reported that his goal is to convince the Iraqi PM to sell Lebanon subsidized oil, as it has long done with Jordan. Both stressed the importance of improving the political relationship between the two countries. The U.S. has been urging Sunni ruled Arab states to strengthen their ties with the Shi’ia dominated Iraqi government that is friendly with Iran.
News and Views, Aug. 21 (live), PNN reported on the The Provincial Economic Conference in Northern Iraq held by US Army in the northern Iraq city of Irbil. Coming out of the meeting US ambassador in Iraq, Ryan Crocker said US will continue funneling economic aid to northern Iraq’s cities. Crocker added that US has spent 20 billion dollars in northern Iraq’s region in the last five years. Crocker also met with Iraq’s vice president, Tareq Hashemi. They held talks about Iraq’s security, stability, and the US/Iraq Strategic Security Agreement. PNN also reported on the existence of a torture room discovered underneath a mosque, which reportedly belongs to troops loyal to Shi’ia cleric Muqtada al-Sad.
News and Views, Aug. 24 (live) PNN reported on the tentative deal signed by the U.S. Iraq that would outline the long-term presence of American troops in Iraq. The final deal is subject to final acceptance by U.S. and Iraqi leaders and Assou Karim from the Institute of Mookaran said the Iraqi cabinet opposes some of the provisions saying it s not acceptable to Shiites and Sunnis. Iran has tremendous influence on Iraqi Shiite officials and they play the major role in Iraq’s politics.
IRANIAN CHOLERA OUTBREAK
News and Views, Aug. 19- Dr. Kazem Attari told PNN that Iran’s figures on the victims of it’s cholera outbreak: 4 people dead and 73 infected can’t be trusted. Attari said: "These figures are not reliable since the governments in the middle east region consider this information a matter of national security and try not to damage their economy and prestige in the world by releasing the actual figures.” Dr. Attari admitted he did not have access to any specific figures but suggested that the outbreak was almost certainly worse than is being reported. “I can assure you these figures is almost 1/10 of what's happening now." PNN also reported that most of the infections are centered in and around Tehran where farmers reportedly are using surplus water to irrigate their vegetables. Dr. Attari urged people to make sure to use bottled water to drink and wash their food.
IRANIAN MOVIE STAR KEPT OUT OF US FOR FILIMG
News and Views, Aug. 21- PNN reported on the Iranian Government’s decision to keep Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani from heading to the United States to work on a new film starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The official Iranian news agency IRNA says Iranian actors must receive permission from the country's culture ministry before appearing in foreign films. The actress was traveling to the U.S. to play a role in the upcoming Ridley Scott film “Body of lies”, which also stars Russell Crowe.
IRANIAN EXECUTION OF MINOR
Today’s Woman, Aug. 20, - PNN interviewed Mohammad Mostafaie, lawyer of Reza Hejazi who was executed in Iran this week for a crime he committed when he was fifteen years old. Amnesty International has condemned the execution and is calling on Iran to end the execution of minor offenders. Hejazi was hanged in prison on Tuesday for stabbing a man in a fight that occurred in 2003 when he was 15 years old. Hejazi was 20 when he was executed. Iran has executed 190 people this year and killed more than 300 last year. PNN also reported on the related story of 2 Iranian actors and one director who were summoned before the Iranian Judiciary because of their efforts to help a young man who was convicted of murder at the age of 17 and will soon be executed. The three filmmakers were working to raise money to save the young man but the judiciary blocked the attempts.
Roundtable, Aug, 18- Human Rights activist Ms. Elahe Hicks discussed the case of another Iranian youth, who at the time of a crime he was linked with, was only 13 years old. He is now almost 18 and slated to be executed in Iran, despite efforts by various human rights groups. Mrs. Hicks noted that although Iran is a signatory to the worldwide agreement on punitive immunity for those under the age of 18, it is continuing to execute youngsters, and human rights groups is almost at a loss for what to do. Another activist Ms. Roya Boroumand noted that in the Islamic Republic of Iran, justice has become a 'subjective' issue, and the government applies its own version of it to each case. Mrs. Hicks also said the government is not responsive to the needs of the people.”
U.S. POLAND MISSILE AGREEMENT
News and Views, Aug, 20- PNN reported that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her Polish counterpart Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski signed an agreement on deployment of part of a U.S. missile defense shield on Polish territory. Under terms of the deal, Warsaw would station 10 U.S. interceptor missiles just 115 miles from Russia’s westernmost borders. The Russians have reacted angrily to news of the deal but Rice brushed aside Russian concerns saying: it: "is a system that is defensive, and not aimed at anyone”. Sikorski also defended the deal and brushed aside suggestions the deal and Russia’s incursion into Georgia were related he said: "we don't apologize for seeking allies and creating this additional sinew of the NATO on a bilateral basis with the U.S".
WAR IN AFGHANISTAN
News and Views, Aug. 20- (live) PNN reported on the deaths of 10 French soldiers killed in Afghanistan. The soldiers were killed in fighting near Kabul and that French troops had been fighting insurgents since Monday. PNN also reported that seven insurgents including three suicide bombers were killed in an unsuccessful attack on U.S. forces at the Forward Operating Base Salerno near Khost.
News and Views, Aug. 21- PNN interviewed Ms. Shuria Dellawar. Ria was born in Kabul and raised in Pakistan, and has lived in the US since 1984. She has co-authored and published numerous articles on Afghanistan, and is a Foreign Media Analyst for Camris International. Ria is the President of TruBridge Consulting, which maintains a team of journalists in Afghanistan providing ground analysis and cultural/political expertise related to the ongoing conflict in the region. Ria says the process of rebuilding Afghanistan is slow and becoming increasingly slow because of increased insurgent activity and government corruption.
IRANIAN MEK RALLY OUTSIDE RED CROSS
News and Views, Aug. 21- reported on the rallies outside the Washington D.C. headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross by the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/PEK). Showing video from last Friday’s rally (the second of three) NAV reported on the rallies attended by friends and family of Iranian refugees in Camp Ashraf in Iraq. The rallies are designed to bring attention to the status of the nearly 3,500 resident of Camp Ashraf. The PEK is the primary Iranian Opposition movement and the residents of camp Ashraf are designated as “protected persons” by the Geneva conventions and are currently being protected by U.S. forces, despite their current classification by the U.S. State Department as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). In June, Iraqi officials presented a plan demanding that they be given control of Camp Ashraf and making it clear that PEK will be expelled from Iraq and some of it’s members prosecuted.
HUMAN RIGHTS
Today’s Woman, Aug. 18 PNN reported on Gender discrimination in Iranian Universities. Mahdiveh Golru a student activist from Allame University in Iran was critical of government attempts to implement gender quotas at Iranian Universities: “It is not right,” she said. “And if they want to implement quotas in higher education, they should also implement quotas in the political and economic sectors of society.”
Today’s Woman, Aug. 18- PNN Interviewed Abdollah Momeni a spokesmen for ADVAR, a Graduate Student Organization regarding the crackdown on young people and Islamic dress requirements at Iranian Universities. The stated goal of the crackdown is to increase security for women but Mr. Momeni said it is having the opposite effect. He said Iranians are becoming increasingly scared to leave their homes and that the crackdown is not in accordance with Islamic law.
Today’s Woman, Aug. 19- PNN Interviewed Ms. Nahid Jafari an Iranian activist who was just recently cleared of any wrongdoing after being arrested in March on charges of public misconduct. Previously she had been convicted and sentenced to six months in jail and ten lashes. Ms. Jafari talked about domestic violence and and about what women in Iran are doing to defend victims of domestic abuse. She acknowledged that the laws in Iran to do not protect women, and said that education is the best way to combat domestic violence. Dr. Homa Mahmoudi a Los Angeles based psychologist also urged the government to enforce any laws aimed at protecting women from domestic violence.
Roundtable, Aug, 19- guests included two human rights activists Mrs. Elaheh Hicks and Ms. Roya Boroumand the two discussed a recent criminal court decision to consider charges against two university students who exposed a university administrator's plans of sexual assault on a fellow female student.
The Roundtable also discussed Parliament’s plan to adopt a new legislation that will make it easier for wealthy men to acquire second, third, or fourth wives. This proposed legislation has met with fierce opposition from various women's rights groups, who believe this will cause women to lose their meager rights in Iran. The show also featured a phone report from Narges Mohammadi a woman's rights advocate, and the Vice Chairwoman of Human Rights Advocates in Iran. Ms. Mohammadi said the legislation is doomed to failure due to the fact that women in Iran are becoming university graduates, that the culture of marriage is becoming more appreciated by younger generation of Iranians, and because of the direct economical involvement of women in their family's structure.
News and Views, Aug. 24, PNN reported that Iraqi officials have begun a crackdown on dogs and dog owners, creating what they are calling a ‘dog prison’ in Tehran. Iranian officials consider dogs ‘dirty animals’ and that owning dogs is ‘morally depraved’ and proof of ‘western influence.’ One anonymous source said he was arrested with a dog in his car, spent several hours in a police station and was shown an area where officials were hanging dogs. This person said they bribed the police in order to save their dog.
Roundtable Aug 20, - Roundtable hosted Dr. Mehrdad Haghighi - Professor of Political Science at University of Toronto, Ms. Elahe Boghrat - Freelance Journalist, and Dr. Sohrab Sobhani - PNN Contributor & International Law Analyst. The team discussed the role of the theocracy in stifling economic growth inside Iran and said that more and more Iranians are deserting the country for more opportunity and economic advantages in Europe and the United States. The guests also discussed Ahmadinejad’s willingness to continue to be antagonistic in his comments towards Israel and the United States until after the U.S. Presidential elections in November. Dr. Sobhani also noted that while Iran is a country with vast resources and land, its farmers have been so devastated by mismanagement that their crop of wheat has been at its lowest level, and Iran is now forced to import wheat and rice from abroad -- a "travesty for a nation of vast, fruitful, and prolific resource" Sobhani said.
PNN’s question of the week (8/25/2008) was “Will Parvez Musharraf’s resignation help boost Pakistani democracy and security?” Out of 5270 respondents, 1818 (34%) said yes, 2971 (56%) said no, while 481 (9%) did not have an opinion.
The Persian News Network’s television programming complements its radio broadcasts. VOA has the largest combined radio and television audience of all international broadcasters in Iran, with one in four Iranian households tuning into a VOA show at least once a week. Programs also are streamed on www.voapnn.com.
PNN’s 7-hour program block opens with Today in Washington, a brief look at the latest news developments in Washington, as well as the content of PNN’s upcoming programs. Then we present cultural programming translated into Farsi from A&E Television Network’s The History Channel. We intersperse 30-minutes of newsbreaks throughout our original programming, which includes the following shows: Today’s Woman, PNN’s newest program, had its debut September 27, 2007. The one-hour program features influential women from around the world discussing a full spectrum of topics, including social, medical, human rights, legal, sports and business. News and Views, PNN’s existing flagship, is now 2 hours in length, and features live news coverage of the latest headlines from Washington, Iran and across the globe. Roundtable with You is a talk show with expert guests, featuring discussion of current events, politics, popular culture and global health. Viewers and listeners from Iran and around the world participate in the show via phone calls and e-mails.
Late Edition begins with a wrap up of the day’s news and a close look at the day’s top story. Targeted to a younger demographic, the show also features segments on health, technology, sports, entertainment and culture. NewsTalk is a new journalists’ roundtable discussion program that features a news update followed by an examination of the day’s top stories and an in-depth look at issues relating to Iran.
Rose from Tehran writes: “My name is Rose and I live in Tehran. I am a fan of Voice of America, especially Today’s Women Program. Thank you for working so hard. I congratulate you because of all the good and interesting shows that you broadcast to Iran. You have to know that you have many followers.”
Mahtab writes: “I am 40 years old. I try to watch Today’s Woman everyday in order to learn something. I am very happy about it. However, by watching your show I have come to the conclusion that my information and knowledge is like an 18-year-old girl.”
Rozhan writes: “Enlightenment and progress in the society has to begin with women. Because women raise the children and they become the future members of the society. The first school is the family institution, if our mothers are informed and enlightened, we would also become enlightened.”
Reza writes: “I watched your Today’s Woman show and it has a lot of viewers. Your program about healthy marriage and sex was really interesting. Please continue to have more shows about this issue and go to the depth of the subject.”
Iman from Tehran: “The Olympic games are over. For us, the Iranians, it ended in the worst shape and form. We had not had in such a situation in our sport history. In the last sixty years we have always had champions. Our failure should be attributed to the incompetence of the Iranian authorities.”
Kaveh from Iran: “Following the spiteful action of the Iranian government for making a movie to justify the assassination of Anwar Sadat, the Egypt government has decided to retaliate and make a movie about Khomeini to show to the world the profile of one of the most bloodthirsty persons in the world history. I, accompanied by the people around me, are very happy with this action of the Egypt government, and say: Long live Egypt!’’
Fariborz from Karaj: Separation of the national parks for men and women is another action taken by the authorities of Iran who are against our rich Iranian culture. Such actions show that these fossilized and rigid-minded people are in line with the Taleban.
Mohammad from Khuzestan: You claim that the Voice of America is among the independent and free media. But how come that in screening the e-mails from your audience, you select only those which are in line of your own opinions and ideas?
Arman from Tabriz: Greetings. I love you all. However I have a friendly complaint: I have requested, several times for a proxy. This letter is, again, the same request. Please send me a proxy.
Hossein from Bandar Abbas, Iran: Greetings. I am one of your staunch supporters; and I always watch your programs. I wonder why you have not read, even once, my letters.
By the way, how far should we bear up with this regime? Please let our voice be heard by the world.