Iran: The NBC TV Interview with President Ahmadinejad

Posted by: Scott Lucas in Journalism & Media, Middle East & Iran

Enduring America

The American television network NBC previewed its “exclusive” interview with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad about 1220 GMT. The interview is promised about 1420 GMT; NBC has already talked to the families of the three Americans detained when they crossed the border into Iran (2nd video below).
Already, however, this is in danger of being a travesty. After patting itself enthusiastically on the back for getting the interview, NBC frames these as the issues “at a critical moment”: 1) Iran’s nuclear programme and negotiations with the US; 2) Ahmadinejad’s appearance at the United Nations; 3) the three US “hitchhikers”.
No reference to Qods Day. No reference to Hashemi Rafsanjani, the Supreme Leader, and Friday Prayers. No reference to the Green opposition at all apart from the fleeting note of “crackdown on election protestors”.
If I’m wrong when the interview is aired, I will say that with relief. For now, this looks like a perfect storm of Ahmadinejad’s manoeuvring and the ineptitude of the US mainstream media.

(video at link)