The least that can be said about the Iranian authorities destroying 100,000 satellite dishes on the grounds that they breach regulations and threaten moral, cultural and social values is that this act is ridiculous. It is also evidence of the Iranian regime’s lack of seriousness, which some in the West are trying to gloss over.
Iran did this at home while it continues to open and finance Arabic-language television channels in our part of the world. In addition to this, it funds newspapers, news websites and agencies and is behind several usernames on Twitter, some of which are fake, which aim to sow discord in our region, particularly in Saudi Arabia.
The matter does not stop here; in a previous interview with our newspaper, the Bahraini minister of information said that there were 40 TV channels funded by Iran that target Bahrain’s security. It is clear to everyone that Iran is doing this to export its sectarian agenda to the region, and this is clearly evident in Lebanon where it funds newspapers and television channels. Iran has also tried to infiltrate Egypt before.
Therefore, Iran’s destruction of satellite dishes is ridiculous because it knows that half of the battle is fought via the media, but is then irritated by it and fears it. Iran does this while continuing to broadcast its poison in the region. It was also irritated by the media saying that the Munich attack was carried out by an Iranian and considered it to be defamation. Meanwhile, the Iranian media adopts all discourse that is offensive to Saudi Arabia, and Sunnis in general! The truth is, and let us be honest with ourselves, that the Arab stance, especially that of the moderate states, is also surprising. Where is our unshakeable media? Where is our influential audio-visual and written media? Where is the media that addresses sensible people, strengthens the positions of friends, counter the skeptics and exposes enemies?
Are you talking about a television channel? I am talking to you about the need for television channels. Are you talking about a newspaper? I am talking to you about the need for newspapers and websites! Are you talking about Twitter? Then you’re living in a virtual world. Twitter is just a vessel, and is a trend that will be followed by another. I am talking about means of communication that are credible, informative, provide the opinions of experts, broadcast serious discussions and programs and that produce knowledge. I am talking about a cultural project that will begin with serious centers of studies. We are talking about institutions, not individual efforts.
If Iran is aware of the seriousness and importance of the media but is experiencing difficulties with it, what we are waiting for? Why are we leaving the arena open to Iranian interference, which uses the media only as a tool to promote its agenda?
Iran did this at home while it continues to open and finance Arabic-language television channels in our part of the world. In addition to this, it funds newspapers, news websites and agencies and is behind several usernames on Twitter, some of which are fake, which aim to sow discord in our region, particularly in Saudi Arabia.
The matter does not stop here; in a previous interview with our newspaper, the Bahraini minister of information said that there were 40 TV channels funded by Iran that target Bahrain’s security. It is clear to everyone that Iran is doing this to export its sectarian agenda to the region, and this is clearly evident in Lebanon where it funds newspapers and television channels. Iran has also tried to infiltrate Egypt before.
Therefore, Iran’s destruction of satellite dishes is ridiculous because it knows that half of the battle is fought via the media, but is then irritated by it and fears it. Iran does this while continuing to broadcast its poison in the region. It was also irritated by the media saying that the Munich attack was carried out by an Iranian and considered it to be defamation. Meanwhile, the Iranian media adopts all discourse that is offensive to Saudi Arabia, and Sunnis in general! The truth is, and let us be honest with ourselves, that the Arab stance, especially that of the moderate states, is also surprising. Where is our unshakeable media? Where is our influential audio-visual and written media? Where is the media that addresses sensible people, strengthens the positions of friends, counter the skeptics and exposes enemies?
Are you talking about a television channel? I am talking to you about the need for television channels. Are you talking about a newspaper? I am talking to you about the need for newspapers and websites! Are you talking about Twitter? Then you’re living in a virtual world. Twitter is just a vessel, and is a trend that will be followed by another. I am talking about means of communication that are credible, informative, provide the opinions of experts, broadcast serious discussions and programs and that produce knowledge. I am talking about a cultural project that will begin with serious centers of studies. We are talking about institutions, not individual efforts.
If Iran is aware of the seriousness and importance of the media but is experiencing difficulties with it, what we are waiting for? Why are we leaving the arena open to Iranian interference, which uses the media only as a tool to promote its agenda?
