Behrouz Afagh
The Role of Persian Media in Iran’s Crises and Future: From Criticism to Solution
Mohammad Reza Nikfar
Media as a Problem or an Arena for Finding a Solution
Negin Shiraghaei
The Position of Iranian Media and Future Prospects
Moderator: Maryam Foumani
The roundtable titled “Persian Media: Challenges and Prospects” featured three speakers—Behrouz Afagh, Mohammad Reza Nikfar, and Negin Shiraghaei—each offering insights into the current state of Persian-language media and its role in shaping Iran’s future. This discussion provided critical perspectives on the challenges that Persian media, both inside and outside Iran, face in addressing the country’s crises and offering solutions.
Behrouz Afagh: The Role of Persian Media in Iran’s Crises and Future: From Criticism to Solution
Behrouz Afagh highlights the numerous crises Iran is facing, including governance, environmental, economic, energy, judicial, education, healthcare, housing, international relations, and a deep-seated trust crisis. These issues have polarized Iranian society to an extreme degree, with political and social views turning into distinct, often conflicting identities.
Despite widespread opposition to the Islamic Republic, there is little consensus on what the future of Iran should look like or what steps should be taken in the present to navigate the nation towards a brighter future.
Afagh argues that one of the most crucial needs in today’s Iranian society is a national dialogue aimed at constructing a clear vision for the future. Without such a vision, it will be impossible to transition away from the Islamic Republic or build a hopeful future for Iran.
However, he criticizes Persian media—both within and outside Iran—for failing to recognize and address this fundamental societal need. While media outlets are filled with factional debates and partisan conflicts, they lack a forward-looking and constructive approach that could help unify the nation around a shared goal.
Afagh’s focus in the roundtable is on Persian-language media outside Iran, particularly major networks. He analyzes how these networks approach Iran’s current situation, examining both their positive and negative impacts. While these media outlets attract large audiences, they are also met with suspicion and mistrust from their viewers. Afagh explores why this is the case and suggests ways that Persian media could better serve Iran’s future.
He emphasizes the need for media to adopt a more thoughtful and solution-oriented approach, producing content that not only reflects the current crises but also fosters a constructive dialogue with their audience. In his view, Persian media should focus on creating narratives that help bridge societal divides and encourage collective action towards a common future.
Mohammad Reza Nikfar: Media as a Problem or a Platform for Solutions
Mohammad Reza Nikfar’s contribution to the roundtable builds on the notion that media itself is not only a channel for communication but has become a central issue in contemporary society. He traces the evolution of media, with a particular focus on the internet era, where the dissemination of information has expanded rapidly, yet paradoxically, access to meaningful knowledge has been obstructed.
He discusses how the virtual world has, in many ways, overtaken the real world, with reality often becoming distorted by its portrayal in the media. Nikfar contends that the current media landscape is characterized by a contradiction: while information is widely available, it is simultaneously controlled and manipulated in ways that prevent true understanding.
The dominance of virtual spaces over real-world experiences has led to a situation where reality seems to be what is reflected in the media rather than what is experienced on the ground. In this context, he poses the question of what can be done to counteract this trend. Can isolated “islands” of truth and reason be cultivated within the broader currents of mainstream media?
Nikfar’s analysis goes beyond the Iranian context to address the global transformation of media in the digital age. However, he recognizes the specific challenges Iran faces, such as government censorship and the distortion of narratives by the Islamic Republic.
His presentation calls for a critical reevaluation of media’s role in society and urges both media producers and consumers to approach the issue with heightened awareness and responsibility. For Nikfar, media is both part of the problem and a potential tool for finding solutions, but only if used critically and ethically.
Negin Shiraghaei: The Position of Iranian Media and Future Prospects
Negin Shiraghaei’s presentation centers on the challenges facing journalism in Iran today. She notes that the field is suffering from a lack of proper education and training, which has resulted in a decline in journalistic standards and integrity.
In addition, the management of Iranian media is hampered by cultural barriers and a lack of financial independence. These factors have contributed to a biased media landscape that fails to represent diverse perspectives. Journalists both inside and outside Iran face significant hurdles in providing accurate representations of the country’s realities.
Shiraghaei points out that the authoritarian regime in Iran, combined with its manipulation of media narratives, makes it difficult for independent journalists to offer a comprehensive view of the situation. Moreover, cultural challenges further complicate efforts to present unbiased journalism.
Despite these challenges, Shiraghaei offers a vision for improving Iranian journalism. She emphasizes the importance of empowering individuals within society and developing independent media outlets. Technology and social media platforms play a crucial role in this process, offering opportunities to disseminate information and create grassroots media networks.
By leveraging these tools, journalists and citizens alike can work towards establishing a more diverse and independent media landscape, which is essential for fostering a more informed and engaged public.
The roundtable “Persian Media: Challenges and Prospects” sheds light on the complex issues facing Persian-language media today. Each speaker provides a distinct perspective on the current state of media and its role in Iran’s future.
Behrouz Afagh highlights the critical need for Persian media to facilitate a national dialogue and promote a shared vision for the future. Mohammad Reza Nikfar discusses the broader transformation of media in the digital age, urging a critical and ethical approach to media production and consumption. Negin Shiraghaei focuses on the practical challenges facing Iranian journalism, advocating for the development of independent media and the use of technology to empower citizens.
Together, these insights point to the need for a more thoughtful, responsible, and solution-oriented approach to Persian media in addressing Iran’s crises and shaping its future trajectory.
