http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/whys
“World Have Your Say – The BBC News programme where you set the agenda”; Feb 8, 2012; 6:00 to 7:00 pm (GMT); available for 7 days
WHYS 60: Latest on Syria and Learning About Iran:
“The desire to understand Iran increases as the standoff over its nuclear programme intensifies. “
(For Ray’s input, go to minutes 40:45 to 45:45.)
The BBC asked Ray to set aside from 1 to 2 pm ET for a “free-wheeling discussion” via Skype with two other panelists on site at the BBC. Ray referred the producer to Iran-related info on this Web site. Suddenly there were 5 other panelists plus “presenter” Ros Atkins.
Ray was not permitted to even hear the first 35 minutes, but was allowed to “listen only” from 1:35 to 1:45 pm. Only then was he invited to join the vapid conversation — merely for “balance,” it seems. Once in, he did claim enough time to make a few points — the first of which addressed how NOT to facilitate “learning about Iran.” And that would be by NOT withdrawing Iranian-sponsored PressTV’s license to broadcast in the UK, as the British government has recently done.
Frustrating as the experience was, Ray found it an interesting — if depressing — peek into the caliber of one prime-time BBC program (which, hopefully, may not representative of the BBC World Service as a whole). Those interested in assessing that can listen to the beginning as well as the five minutes (from 40:45 to 45:45) during which Ray was able to take part.
Participants:
-Maziar Bahari – Iranian journalist and filmmaker – jailed in Iran when he was working as a reporter; Behrouz Afagh – BBC Head of Journalism; Afshin Rattansi – Press TV; Iranian blogger in London; Omid Memarian – Iranian journalist; Raymond McGovern – former CIA analyst; presenter – Ros Atkins