Ref. 27 / A / 60

Date: June 2, 1997

'IRAN ON THE THRESHOLD OF YEAR 2000'

Summary of the 'Media and Its Role' Conference

10:30am ' 8:00pm Friday May 30, 1997

10:30am ' 8:00pm Saturday May 31, 1997

Brunei Gallery, London University - SOAS, Thornaugh Street, London, WC1

The eighteenth Conference convened by The Association o Iranian Researchers - ACI, organised by its London Office, took place on the above dates. The conference saw many of scholars and experts in the field of the Media come together to offer their studies. The pioneers of contemporary Iranian newspaper industry offered an absorbing insight into the last half-century of the Iranian social and political history which has experienced many changes.

As well as the perceptive talks by the leaders of the newspaper sector, other experts offered studies on all aspects of the Media - its past and future. Topics of discussions covered the role and importance of radio, television, satellite and the Internet in newsgathering and reporting.

The head of the London office, Amir Hooshang Zonozi, who welcomed and thanked audience and speakers for taking part, opened the Conference. Dr Mustafa Mesbahzadeh the founder and proprietor of Kayhan Newspaper was introduced as the honorary president of the Conference.

Dr Mesbahzadeh accepted ACI's invitation with great kindness and traveled from Paris to preside over the Conference. He thanked and congratulated ACI's continued efforts in organising such gatherings. The assembly was engrossed by his recollections of setting up Kayhan Newspaper over fifty years ago as well as his comments on related issues concerning news reporting in contemporary Iran.

Dr Hossein Ladjevardi, the President of ACI, in turn welcomed those present. In his speech he stressed the importance of the media and the role it played in shaping all aspects of the Iranian society in the last thirty years. He pointed out the crucial role such gatherings can play in debating the nature and responsibilities of the Media and 'Professional Conscience' of reporters and those in charge alike. He then went on to announce the conference program and the ceremony in honor of Dr Esmail Pourvali, the patriarch of Iranian journalists and owner editor of 'Rouzegar Noe' the popular monthly journal published in Paris, which took place at the end of the second day.

First Day

Mr. Zonozi chaired panel one. Dr Pourvali presented his paper 'A short history to date of newspapers in Iran'. He looked at how socio-political reporting was done in the last thousand years and pointed out the importance of poetry in news reporting and mentioned famous poets such as Omar Khayam.

Panel two chaired by Professor Nasser Kanani ' lecturer, Germany -, saw its first speaker Mr. Ahmad Vahdat-Khah ' Chief Executive, SATRAP Publishing, UK- deliver a paper on the significance of the Global Village, Media Empires and the destruction of cultural barriers with the presence of satellite technology.

The second speaker Mr. Phil Rees - senior producer, News and Current Affairs, BBCtv ' started his talk by a showing of 'Guardians of Ayatollah' a documentary produced and directed by him which was shown during February '96 by the BBC. This was also seen in Iran through satellite channels. He discussed issues relating to news reporting from the Islamic Republic of Iran such as official co-operation, restrictions and difficulties. Mr. Rees expressed his concern and sadness that such programs should have repercussions for those interviewed and talked of his experiences in reporting from similar situations in other countries. He went on to stress the pressures such conditions impose on journalist and the importance of professional conscience and approach.

Mr. Farokh Negahdar, senior member of the Fadaeeyan Khalg (Majority) Organization, UK - was the last speaker of this session. He looked at the role and responsibilities of the Iranian Press and Media outside Iran at present time. Mr. Negahdar suggested the publication of a unified newspaper made up of all groups and factions outside Iran to help promote unity and understanding amongst them. He went on to stress the importance of the role that Cultural and Scientific Iranian Organisations can play in comparison with the political factions and parties.

Dr Reza Ghassemi - President of Kanoon Iran, UK - chaired the third panel. Dr Ghassemi started the session by passing on Dr Cyrus Amouzegar apologies for not being able to attend due to unforeseen circumstances. He then invited Dr Ezatollah Homayounfar - scholar and lecturer, Switzerland ' to present his paper. Dr Homayounfar started his talk by denoting the subtleties of the Farsi language and the art of reporting. He then went on to discuss the important role the Farsi language press plays in reporting to the immigrant Iranian communities worldwide

The reading of the paper submitted by Dr Darius Homayoun concluded the session. The paper entitled 'Censorship during the Pahlavi Era' was partially read as it raised many questions from the listeners that could not be answered with out Dr Homayoun's presence. The paper in its entirety will be published in the Conference book.

The last panel of the day was assigned to questions and answers and chaired by Dr Ladjevardi. The panel included all the day's speakers who addressed questions and points raised by the assembly.

Second Day

Panel five chaired by Dr Mustafa Alamouti ' journalist and politician, UK ' included Dr Mohamad Assemi ' journalist and editor of 'Kaveh', Germany ' and Dr Alireza Noorizadeh ' journalist and editor of 'Al Mojez' magazine, UK. Dr Alamouti started the session by telling a few entertaining anecdotes from his journalistic past. He also honored the memory of Mr. Taghizadeh the founder of 'Kaveh' the oldest established Farsi language journal published outside Iran. He also recognised and paid tribute to Dr Assemi's efforts in publishing 'Kaveh' despite numerous problems.

Dr Assemi started his talk by stating a short history of the 86 year old publication and paid homage to its founder Mr. Taghizadeh and his patriotism. He went on to talk about the realities of publishing and journalism outside Iran based on his forty-year experience.

Dr Noorizadeh opted to deliver a different paper to the one submitted previously entitled 'Media after the Iran Iraq War' which will be included in the book of the conference. He presented a revealing and topical paper 'The role of Iranian Media in recent Iranian Presidential Election'. This proved to be a popular decision and was well documented with the cuttings available for inspection.

Dr Assemi presided over the sixth panel. The first speaker of the session Dr William Royce - chief of Voice of America Radio Station, Farsi program ' introduced a short video recording of a new service for its listeners a recently televised satellite program transmitted to Iran. The film showed a previously recorded interview with the now deceased writer and thinker Saeidi Sirjani as well as a live phone in with Iran. This program is transmitted for one hour every Friday. Mr. Royce stressed the substantial role the foreign Radio stations play in news reporting and communication between Iranians worldwide. He went on to stress the importance of understanding the fast changing communications technology and using it to the utmost.

Mr. Taher Sadiq ' journalist, Radio Pejvak Sweden ' offered a comprehensive and thorough look at the Iranian immigrant life in Sweden and how Radio Pejvak's policies respond to their needs. Many interesting points were raised and their impartial approach to programming attracted attention.

The last speaker of the day was Mr. Bijan Barahmandi ' editor of 'Raheh Azadi' the journal of National Democratic Party. His paper addressed the sharing of responsibilities and exchange of ideas by the mass media on both sides of the Iranian borders. He provided some telling statistics gathered in Iran on youth and their views on the Media and its role.

ACI has chosen to allocate time in each conference for use by its members who have something new to offer. With this in mind Mrs. Manijeh Vosouqi-Nouri introduced her book 'Coeur et Beaute' taken from verse and prose by Fatahi Neyshapouri which she has composed in both French and Farsi.

Dr Ladjevardi chaired the seventh panel. All the speakers of the day participated in a lively question and answer session.

The Honoring of Dr Esmail Pourvali

After the interval and a short speech in recognition of the 56 years of experience and service to Iranian journalism by Dr Esmail Pourvali, Dr Ladjevardi invited him on to the stage to receive a present form ACI. This was a painting done by 'Zende' (Mahmoud Zendehroudi) ' the renowned Iranian painter and a member of ACI- based on a poem by Nader Naderpour, which was published in Rouzegar Noe. Dr Ladjevardi and Dr Assemi read messages from Mr. Naderpour and Dr Sadroldin Elahi respectively. Dr Elahi also surprised the assembly by a video recording in which he paid homage to his old friend Dr Pourvali. Dr Noorizadeh also read a poem he had recited in the honor of Dr Pourvali. The evening came to an end with a moving speech by Dr Pourvali recounting how 'he became a journalist'.

ACI had organised a dinner at participants' own expenses in a restaurant, which was very well received, and the function went on till the early hours of the morning.

Papers submitted for publication will include articles from Mr. Houshang Vazirie and Mr. Ahmad Ahrar and notes by Dr Shahnaz Ealamie and Dr Iraj Dehghan.