Recent PostsCNN Kicked Out of Iran
The Cable News Network has been banned from Iran after being accused of violating the 'professional ethics' of journalism. A CNN journalist mistranslated President Ahmadinejad's words in his recent public address; rather than quoting the leader as saying, "Every country has the right to peaceful nuclear technology," the translator conveyed the message as, "Every country has the right to nuclear weapons." Now, anybody skilled in Farsi, as I imagine a professional Iranian translator would be, could not easily confuse "weapons" with "peaceful technology" because the Farsi counterparts of these terms sound nothing alike. Also, Ahmadinejad frequently stressed that in this day and age, no country should be seeking nuclear weapons, and no rich civilization, such as Iran, would condone such an act.
So, the real question is, did this reporter purposely botch the truth, in order to manipulate public perception of the issue? Or was it really just a careless mistake, on an extremely sensitive matter? And why was the speech translated separately by CNN's people, despite C-Span airing a copy of the original taping, which contained the corresponding English translation that was presented simultaneously to the non-Farsi-speaking attendees, during the press conference?
Either way, CNN offered a formal apology, today, which Iran has accepted. However, the country will continue to enforce the ban, until the agency can show, through future reports on Iran, that it remains committed to journalistic integrity.
UPDATE: President Ahmadinejad removed the ban on Tuesday (a day after I wrote this) because of CNN's public apology and correction of the error.
So, the real question is, did this reporter purposely botch the truth, in order to manipulate public perception of the issue? Or was it really just a careless mistake, on an extremely sensitive matter? And why was the speech translated separately by CNN's people, despite C-Span airing a copy of the original taping, which contained the corresponding English translation that was presented simultaneously to the non-Farsi-speaking attendees, during the press conference?
Either way, CNN offered a formal apology, today, which Iran has accepted. However, the country will continue to enforce the ban, until the agency can show, through future reports on Iran, that it remains committed to journalistic integrity.
UPDATE: President Ahmadinejad removed the ban on Tuesday (a day after I wrote this) because of CNN's public apology and correction of the error.
5 Comments:
http://thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2006/01/cnn-and-talk-of-regime-change-in-iran.html
good for Iran. This was bad and dishonest politics by cnn and i am glad they got banned.
The translation aired by c-span was really difficult to listen to. After abt 40 minutes I had to get a break because translator's english was getting difficult to understand. I know that translator job is a difficult one, but iranians could try to get someone better.
I don't think that CNN translator made mistake intentionally. Anyway, CNN is reinstated now.
Ella
Perhaps the stated desire to wipe Israel off the map was a translation error, too :P
I'd like to see Ahmadinejad's head get blown off by a sniper rounds. Its unbelievable how people are willing to endure pain and the lack of freedom so their nation can be called the "Islamic Republic". Why can't women speak up Tehran. Why can't people fight for thier freedom. As an American the author should be ashamed of what Iran does. In a way I am glad that you left the country. But restasure,we'll come to your land and wake you.
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