Coverage of Historic Iranian Protests for Freedom Limited in US - Focus on Obama’s Beer Fest at White House - Analysis

Obama Beer Summit Captures Attention of American Press - rather than Protest in Iran - image MSNBC - Getty

July 30, 2009 brought continued large-scale anti-government protests to the Iranian Capital as well as in cities throughout that nation, yet news of this event was difficult to find on any major U.S. televised network. CNN did run a short video clip, which at the time showed protests in one location only. Newspapers, however, were a different story. For example, UPI noted that “hundreds” gathered at the Neda Gravesite, in the article here, while further in the article noted that CNN estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people were in attendance. The Washington Post notes that thousands were in involved in the protests, which is more accurate as the “official numbers” (those coming from the regime – as the U.S. news outlets do not have reporters in Iran) are skewed. What was of import to networks such as ABC, CBS, and cable news networks CNN, FOX, was Obama’s “sit-down” with radical professor Gates and the Police officer who arrested the President’s friend for disorderly conduct. Some of the networks had clocks counting down the hours to the “Beer Summit” (as they were serving beer) – as if anyone but the press was actually that engaged.

The problem is twofold: the American Press is more enamored of the President than the American People at this point (see Obama by the numbers, now down below 50% approval at 48% and falling. What is mind-boggling is that the Iranian protests, although historic in nature, due to the fact that they are even taking place, let alone, have continued for over 40 days with no end in sight, are not even on the radar presumably because they (News outlets) do not have sources on the ground in Iran.
Apparently, they will not start covering the events until they can get those camera’s and anchors in country, regardless of the fact that there are hundreds of video’s being pushed out of Iran documenting the sheer size of the protests, the brutality of the regime, and the determination of the citizens to continue to protest until there is a free Republic of Iran.

When those involved in the Iranian Revolution (for that is what it is) do either execute or exile the current regime members, perhaps those networks will decide to cover that event. That is, unless the President is giving yet another news conference, holding another apology beer fest, or heading out for a burger with the vice-president – which will, according to pattern – take precedence.
It is no wonder therefore, that more American’s are no longer tuning in – rather seeking information elsewhere, either through citizen journalism (blogs), or news organizations abroad. The newspapers in the U.S. appear to “get it” as they have been covering the story as best they can (again, apparently concerned about sources such as live video from YouTube, being less trustworthy than CNN)

The implications of this particular historic movement are legion; a free Democratic Republic of Iran would join Israel as the second most cosmopolitan country in the Middle East. The interests of those involved in the protests appear to be similar to the interests of most U.S. citizens, freedom being primary. The fact that they have little use for allying themselves with China and Russia, bode well for the European nations that have shown support, in the way of commerce, and the fact that those who are currently involved are insisting that they will not allow outside interests to negotiate on their behalf immediacy excludes those nations that feel they are able to be “power brokers” with other nations. They are a nation that will be distinctly Persian. The current regimes finance of terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah will come to a screeching halt which will put an end (temporarily at best) to ongoing attacks on Israel. Of no small import, there will be one less rouge regime in the world, that is not only nuclear capable, but one which sits on the UN Human Rights Committee, while murdering its own people and plotting the destruction of its neighbors. Speaking of which, there is a lack of coverage on the fact that recently abandoned Iraq, is aiding the Iranian Regime – (it is doubtful that ploy will succeed, yet had American forces remained in Iraq, the Iranians fighting for freedom might not have to do so on two fronts)
Yet, a beer fest, complete with countdown clock, took front and center stage, while Iranians took to the streets, again in record numbers. The action taken by U.S. news outlets was not unnoticed, by American’s as well as those in Iran who are fighting for their freedom. After several posts noting the disparity appeared on Twitter, CNN jumped in and made several desperate tweets noting that there was indeed coverage of the event, complete with a link to CNN “World”, (not the home page of the site which gives an overview of world events and U.S. events). One has to hand it to CNN; at the very least they are paying attention.

In the final analysis, what will these networks (journalists) who are married to the administration (psychologically) do when (not if), the Presidents, popularity continues to decline, the Congress sees its own “regime change” in 2010 to 2012, and the possibility that Obama may be a one-term President becomes a reality?

For coverage of the events in Iran, yesterday and forward – for news sources check: Google Blog Search.