Public diplomacy in the Islamic Republic of Iran
Encyclopedia
Public diplomacy in the Islamic Republic of Iran refers to the public relations
efforts to disseminate information about the Islamic Republic of Iran. Such efforts seek to communicate with foreign publics in order to establish a dialogue designed to inform and influence. Instruments of public diplomacy in the Islamic Republic of Iran include cultural exchanges, film and print media, and sports diplomacy.
.
The distinguishing factor between diplomacy
and public diplomacy is the target audience. Where traditional diplomacy focuses on governments communicating with one another, public diplomacy seeks to engage foreign citizens and publics in order to change opinions and perceptions. Public diplomacy may present a point of view that differs than that of the targeted population’s home government. In such cases, critics argue that public diplomacy is a new word for influence operations and/or propaganda
.
as the “linchpin of public diplomacy; for it is in cultural activities that a nation’s idea of itself is best represented.” Further, cultural diplomacy seeks to demonstrate national values which might be shared with foreign audiences.
The Islamic Republic of Iran relies on its cultural heritage and exchanges as a basis for its public diplomacy campaign.
, is the Islamic Republic of Iran’s primary organization for implementing and leading cultural outreach outside of Iran. The purpose of the ICRO is to promote “cultural ties with other nations and communities; consolidation of cultural ties of the Islamic republic of Iran with other nations; [offer] proper presentation of the Iranian culture and civilization; preparing the grounds for unity among Muslims; revival and promotion of Islamic culture and teachings in the world; and information dissemination about the principles and realities of the Islamic Revolution.” The Islamic Culture and Relations Organization is Iran’s de facto public diplomacy organization.
Selected Islamic Culture and Relations Organization activities include:
is often sponsored by the Iranian government in musical exchanges throughout the world. In its efforts to approach European audiences, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided free tickets to invited dignitaries and guests. Describing the 2010 European tour, the New York Times referenced overt propaganda through performances of the “Peace and Friendship Symphony,” a piece written to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. Much of the tour was met with criticism by demonstrations and protests. Michael Kimmelman of the New York Times declared the performance a tragedy, failing to meet the efforts of proper cultural exchange and public diplomacy.
is the state-run broadcast communications organization. The IRIB contributes to the Islamic Republic’s cultural diplomacy by providing Iranian focused radio, satellite-television, and web based broadcasts presented in a number of languages.
is the IRIB’s newest satellite network venture, targeting Spanish speaking populations of the Americas. First offering its news and analysis via the internet, HispanTV is scheduled to expand its satellite broadcasts in early 2012. Hispan TV is intending to counter what Ali Mohaqqeq, General-Secretary of the Iranian Embassy in Brazil, says is a western “monopoly of news about Iran and the Middle East in Latin America
.”
Further goals include:
is an Arabic speaking satellite network that targets much of Southwest Asia. The iFilm network presents Iranian films and serials to the Arab world in an attempt to present a near-real likeness of Iranian culture and society. Programs include: art and culture, documentaries, movies, short films and television series. Such television shows seek to build mutual friendship and understanding between Iranian and foreign (Arabic-speaking) publics. Broadcasts are aired in three 8-hour blocks, allowing all Middle Eastern communities the opportunity to view their favorite films and serials. As a network financed by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, iFilm depicts television entertainment in accordance to the mandates of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
is a 24-hour English language satellite network targeting Europe and North America. Headquartered in Tehran, Press TV provides documentaries, news analysis, and sports briefs. The mission of Press TV is definitive of public diplomacy in its goal “to heed the voices and perspectives of the people of the world; build bridges of cultural understanding; encourage human beings of different nationalities, races and creeds to identity with one another; bring to light untold and overlooked stories of individuals who have experienced political and cultural divides firsthand.”
Press TV has been accused of being a mouthpiece of propaganda
for the Iranian regime.
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
efforts to disseminate information about the Islamic Republic of Iran. Such efforts seek to communicate with foreign publics in order to establish a dialogue designed to inform and influence. Instruments of public diplomacy in the Islamic Republic of Iran include cultural exchanges, film and print media, and sports diplomacy.
Definition
There is no standard definition of Public DiplomacyPublic diplomacy
In international relations, public diplomacy or people's diplomacy, broadly speaking, is the communication with foreign publics to establish a dialogue designed to inform and influence. There is no one definition of Public Diplomacy, and may be easier described than easily defined as definitions...
.
Public Diplomacy is that "form of international Political Advocacy in which the civilians of one country use legitimate means to reach out to the civilians of another country in order to gain popular support for negotiations occurring through diplomatic channels."
The United States Information Agency, the predecessor to the U.S. State Department’s Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, defines as public diplomacy as efforts that seek “to promote the national interest of … through understanding, informing and influencing foreign audiences.”
The U.S. State Department’s “Dictionary of International Relations Terms” defines public diplomacy as anything that “refers to government-sponsored programs intended to inform or influence public opinion in other countries; its chief instruments are publications, motion pictures, cultural exchanges, radio and television.”
Michael McClellan, one time Public Diplomacy Counselor for the U.S. Embassy Dublin, notes that "public diplomacy [is] the strategic planning and execution of informational, cultural and educational programming by an advocate country to create a public opinion environment in a target country or countries that will enable target country political leaders to make decisions that are supportive of advocate country's foreign policy objectives."
The distinguishing factor between diplomacy
Diplomacy
Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states...
and public diplomacy is the target audience. Where traditional diplomacy focuses on governments communicating with one another, public diplomacy seeks to engage foreign citizens and publics in order to change opinions and perceptions. Public diplomacy may present a point of view that differs than that of the targeted population’s home government. In such cases, critics argue that public diplomacy is a new word for influence operations and/or propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
.
Cultural Diplomacy
The U.S. Department of State defines cultural diplomacyCultural diplomacy
Cultural diplomacy has existed as a practice for centuries. Explorers, travelers, teachers and artists can be all considered examples of informal ambassadors or early cultural diplomats...
as the “linchpin of public diplomacy; for it is in cultural activities that a nation’s idea of itself is best represented.” Further, cultural diplomacy seeks to demonstrate national values which might be shared with foreign audiences.
The Islamic Republic of Iran relies on its cultural heritage and exchanges as a basis for its public diplomacy campaign.
Islamic Culture and Relations Organization
The Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, subordinate to the Ministry of Culture and Islamic GuidanceMinistry of Culture and Islamic Guidance
The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance is the ministry of Culture of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is responsible for restricting access to any media of which the Islamic Regime in Tehran does not approve....
, is the Islamic Republic of Iran’s primary organization for implementing and leading cultural outreach outside of Iran. The purpose of the ICRO is to promote “cultural ties with other nations and communities; consolidation of cultural ties of the Islamic republic of Iran with other nations; [offer] proper presentation of the Iranian culture and civilization; preparing the grounds for unity among Muslims; revival and promotion of Islamic culture and teachings in the world; and information dissemination about the principles and realities of the Islamic Revolution.” The Islamic Culture and Relations Organization is Iran’s de facto public diplomacy organization.
Selected Islamic Culture and Relations Organization activities include:
The Iran Friendship Association seeks to target prominent members of the Albanian business, political, and scientific communities. Created by Alibeman Eghbali Zarch, former Iranian Ambassador to Albania, the Iran Friendship Association has strong ties to the Albania Institute of Islamic Thought and Culture.
The Saadi Sirazi Cultural Foundation is directly financed through the Islamic Culture and Relations Organizations. The foundation provides support for Iranian-related activities and organizations in Albania. Such support has included providing Iranian personalities for speaking tours in Tirana, including former Members of Iranian Parliament. The Saadi Sirazi Cultural Foundation targets middle and upper class Albanians.
The Islamic Culture and Relations Organization hosts art exhibitions displaying Iranian and Persian culture and history. In 2011, the Iranian Embassy in Jakarta provided an exhibition showcasing Persian calligrapher Mojtaba Sabzeh. The exhibition displayed Persian calligraphy samples while also offering discussion, seminars, and workshops related to Iranian art. The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting’s Press TV provided the reporting of the 2011 Jakarta event.
The Islamic Culture and Relations Organization and Iranian Embassy in Algiers hosted the Capital of Islamic Culture 2011 program in Tlemcen, Algeria. The event mixed Algerian and Iranian cartoons, handicrafts, paintings, and sculpture. The program further linked Algeria and Iran’s shared Islamic history.
Music Diplomacy
Music diplomacy is one aspect of cultural diplomacy that seeks to engage foreign publics through musical performances. The Tehran Symphony OrchestraTehran Symphony Orchestra
Tehran Symphony Orchestra was founded originally as "Municipality Symphony Orchestra" in 1933 by Gholamhossein Minbashian.The Orchestra in its modern form was founded by Parviz Mahmoud...
is often sponsored by the Iranian government in musical exchanges throughout the world. In its efforts to approach European audiences, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided free tickets to invited dignitaries and guests. Describing the 2010 European tour, the New York Times referenced overt propaganda through performances of the “Peace and Friendship Symphony,” a piece written to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. Much of the tour was met with criticism by demonstrations and protests. Michael Kimmelman of the New York Times declared the performance a tragedy, failing to meet the efforts of proper cultural exchange and public diplomacy.
Sports Diplomacy
Sports diplomacy refers to the use of sport and sport activity as a means to influence diplomatic, social, and political relations of a foreign public. Sporting exchanges provide a platform for increased dialogue among the people of foreign states, and to promote cultural understanding.Having placed in the 49th World Team Table Tennis Championship in the People’s Republic of China, Iran’s Table Tennis team accepted an offer to hold joint training with the United States. The Iranian team trained in Las Vegas, beating the U.S. team 3-1. The Iranian team went on to play in the Las Vegas Open Table Tennis Tournament that year.
Wrestling is the national sport of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Iranian athletics associations often invites foreign teams to compete in the Takhti Cup. Iran admitted the United States to the 1998 Takhti Cup in a cultural exchange. The 1998 Takhti Cup welcomed the first American sports team to Iran since the Islamic Revolution. Iran views the opportunity to show its rich heritage and history in the sport of wrestling.
Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting
The Islamic Republic of Iran BroadcastingIslamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting
Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcaster, or IRIB, , formerly called the National Iranian Radio and Television until the Islamic revolution of 1979, is a giant Iranian corporation in control of radio and television which is among the largest media organizations in Asia and Pacific region, and a regular...
is the state-run broadcast communications organization. The IRIB contributes to the Islamic Republic’s cultural diplomacy by providing Iranian focused radio, satellite-television, and web based broadcasts presented in a number of languages.
Al Alam
Al Alam is the IRIB’s 24-hour Arabic satellite channel, targeting over 300 million Arabic speakers worldwide. Launched in early 2003, the network initially served as a platform of opposition to both the Iraq led Ba’ath Party and the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. The BBC early reported that Al Alam shared programming similarities to Qatar-based Al Jazeera, only with an Iranian message. Such reporting has allowed Al Alam to promote a pan-Muslim image in order to downplay the Shia-Sunni sectarian conflict during the height of Operation Iraqi Freedom.Hispan TV
HispanTVHispanTV
HispanTV is a Spanish language television channel operated by IRIB, the Iran's state-owned public broadcasting corporation. It will begin broadcasting in February 2012....
is the IRIB’s newest satellite network venture, targeting Spanish speaking populations of the Americas. First offering its news and analysis via the internet, HispanTV is scheduled to expand its satellite broadcasts in early 2012. Hispan TV is intending to counter what Ali Mohaqqeq, General-Secretary of the Iranian Embassy in Brazil, says is a western “monopoly of news about Iran and the Middle East in Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
.”
Goals
The primary goal of Hispan TV is to provide a complete platform of multimedia service to the Spanish speaking peoples of Latin America, offering an opportunity for cultural exchange through television and web broadcasts.Further goals include:
- To produce audio-visual and film materials that offer the cultural reality of Iran, the Middle East, and the Spanish speaking Americas to viewers
- To reflect the reality of Spanish speaking countries within its social construct, presented in its original context
- To interpret day-to-day social realities via television and web
- To develop, provide, and support audio-visual equipment for broadcast, granting effective feedback
- To broadcast informative programs that include art, culture, economics, education, entertainment, food, health, politics, science, society issues, sports, technology, and other areas
- To permanently transform Hispan TV as a bridge of friendship and understanding between the peoples of Iran, the Middle East, and Latin America, which will allow the development of shared principles of friendship, fraternity, brotherhood, solidarity, and justice
iFilm
Like Al Alam, iFilmIFilm
ifilm.com was an online archive of short films, movie trailers, and other video clips of interest. Ifilm.com was originally founded by independent filmmaker Raphael Raphael in 1997 as an independent film and media collective...
is an Arabic speaking satellite network that targets much of Southwest Asia. The iFilm network presents Iranian films and serials to the Arab world in an attempt to present a near-real likeness of Iranian culture and society. Programs include: art and culture, documentaries, movies, short films and television series. Such television shows seek to build mutual friendship and understanding between Iranian and foreign (Arabic-speaking) publics. Broadcasts are aired in three 8-hour blocks, allowing all Middle Eastern communities the opportunity to view their favorite films and serials. As a network financed by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, iFilm depicts television entertainment in accordance to the mandates of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
Al Kawthar TV
Al Kawthar TV is IRIB’s Arabic-speaking religious network. Promoting Shi’a Islam, Al Kawthar provides religious programming targeting the Middle East and North Africa. Programming includes Islamic cultural, intellectual, and social documentaries. The network seeks to promote unity among Muslims, strengthening Iran’s position within the Islamic community. Al Kawthar TV provides roughly nineteen hours of broadcasts per day.Press TV
Press TVPress TV
Press TV is a 24-hour English language global news network owned by the Iranian government. Its headquarters are located in Tehran, Iran, with bureaux in Beirut , Damascus , London , Seoul and Washington DC ....
is a 24-hour English language satellite network targeting Europe and North America. Headquartered in Tehran, Press TV provides documentaries, news analysis, and sports briefs. The mission of Press TV is definitive of public diplomacy in its goal “to heed the voices and perspectives of the people of the world; build bridges of cultural understanding; encourage human beings of different nationalities, races and creeds to identity with one another; bring to light untold and overlooked stories of individuals who have experienced political and cultural divides firsthand.”
Press TV has been accused of being a mouthpiece of propaganda
Propaganda in The Islamic Republic of Iran
Propaganda in The Islamic Republic of Iran originates from the Iranian regime and "private" entities, which are usually state controlled. Garth Jowett and Victoria O'Donnell have provided a concise, workable definition of propaganda: "Propaganda is the deliberate, systematic attempt to shape...
for the Iranian regime.