Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Mohammad Mehdi Forghani ¹
• Mohammad Mehdi Forghani ²

¹ Associate Professor at Department of Communication Sciences – AllamehTabataba'i University

² Ph.D. Candidate in Communication Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University

Abstract

This article is looking for the elements of the US media diplomacy toward the Iranian Eleventh Government. For this purpose, the Persian website of Voice Of American was studied using qualitative content analysis in a period of 104 days, from 1st of August, 2014 to 28th of November. The findings show that VOA has tried to prepare the public for the negotiations and Tehran’s submission to the wills of the West. It has tried to do so, on one hand by presenting a peaceful and rational image of the West, and on the other hand by showing a strong and serious face against Iran. Moreover, VOA has tried to promote public support for policies compatible with that of the West and promote a critical approach against non-compatible policies. VOA also attempted to promote the idea that the government is incapable of functioning in Iran’s so-called non-democratic structure and claimed that Iran’s tendency to negotiation was because of the effectiveness of the sanctions. VOA painted the situation as Iran’s anti-imperialist approach has failed and the only way to save the Islamic Republic is to adopt a western model and promote relations with the West. VOA introduced the current situation as the best time for peace and for reforming the Iranian political system.
 

Keywords

• media diplomacy
• United States of America
• Iranian eleventh government
• Framing
• agenda setting
• qualitative content analysis
• VOA Persian website