Call History Channel to stop the
" Iran : The Next Iraq?" propaganda show! 

Dear advocates for peace,
 
With hardly a trace of irony, this Friday, Feb. 9, the History Channel will be broadcasting a propaganda show, " Iran : The Next Iraq?"
 
It calls Iran "as perhaps the most clear and present danger to American security" and promising to "examine evidence that shows Iran is secretly
pursuing a nuclear weapon and just may intend to use on the United States or its allies."
 
This is part of the U.S./British governments' "Axis of Evil" propaganda camapaign to convince the public to support war against Iran . And they have enough contempt for the public to essentially repeat the same storyline used to launch the war against Iraq .
 
You don't have to like the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran anymore than Saddam Hussein to recognize that it is not in the American or British interests to get into yet another war against a country that hasn't attacked us, but has lots of oil.
 
TAKE ACTION:
 
Hold the media accountable: call the owners of the History Channel, A&E Television Networks, and demand that they -
 
1. Withhold from broadcast this blatant propaganda show, " Iran : The Next Iraq?"
 
2. Call for a new program that gives reputable skeptics of the nuclear weapons claims - like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) � and anti-war political analysts equal time as experts.
 
3. Forward this message to your listserves to make sure they get plenty of feedback!
 
A&E Television Networks
President and CEO: Abbe Raven
Phone 212-210-1400 (Corporate Switchboard)
Phone 212-210-1340 (Viewer Relations)
Fax 212-850-9370
Fax 212­907­9409
Fax 212-907-9402
Fax 212-210-9016
 
A&E is a joint venture of Hearst (37.5%), Disney ABC Cable (37.5%), and
NBC Universal Cable (25%).
 
e-mail template
 
Dear Ms. Dubuc:
 
I am writing regarding the History Channel's program ' Iran: The Next Iraq' scheduled to air tomorrow, February 9.  It is reported that during this program, the History Channel refers to Iran as "perhaps the most clear and present danger to American security" and promises to "examine evidence that shows Iran is secretely pursuing a nuclear weapon and just may intend to use it on the United States or its allies".
 
Just these two statements make it clear that this show is not balanced and is blatantly disregarding the many voices of reputable individuals and institutions that do not agree with the above statements � for example, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
 
As an active and informed Iranian-American I am troubled by the statements your program makes, especially since there is  much evidence to dispute both of the statements above.   It is irresponsible of the History Channel and a discredit to the channel's legacy to air a show that simply feeds a biased frenzy.   For years, the History Channel has stood as a fair, unbiased and factual resource regarding some of the most important moments in human history.  To allow this channel to sink to the level of manufacturing a crisis and taking political positions based on the view of a limited, albeit vocal minority, is wrong.
 
I urge you to not air this program tomorrow and instead produce a new program that gives voice to both sides of this issue, including the voices of the many reputable and respected skeptics.
 
One does not have to like the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to stay true to fair, balanced and accurate depiction of historical and current events.
 
I hope you and your colleagues at the History Channel and A&E will not air the program tomorrow.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
 
For background information on the campaign to launch war against Iran :
 
 
 
Original post:
 
 
February 6th, 2007
Jonathan Schwarz:
Right on time
 
This week the History Channel is running something called " Iran : The Next
Iraq ?":
 
    For over 25 years, "Death to America " has been the rallying cry of the
Iranian government, but it's only recently that the threat has become
chillingly real and the Islamic Republic of Iran has emerged as
perhaps the most clear and present danger to American security. This
special will explore the once proud military tradition of Iran , its
recent decline in power, and the country's struggle to gain a place
among the world's super powers. We will also examine evidence that
shows Iran is secretly pursuing a nuclear weapon and just may intend
to use on the United States or its allies.
 
I really appreciate the title. Is Iran the next Iraq ? Is it a country that
poses zero threat to the United States that we'll attack anyway? Will
Americans be persuaded to support such an attack by crappy Soviet-style
propaganda on the History Channel?
 
(Thanks to Sam Husseini for the tip.)
 
posted by Jonathan Schwarz at 12:24 PM | link