From: hossein@nu.Berkeley.EDU (Karbalaie Hossein)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.iranian
Subject: Recipe for Reading News of Iran
Date: 6 Sep 92 19:32:12 GMT
Reply-To: hossein@nu.Berkeley.EDU (Kal Hossein)

DoostanE Gramey,
	
	It is interesting to read some of the news items posted in SCI. I am particularly impressed with the heated discussions going on about the ACCURACY
and RELIABILITY of such news. Having been subjected to a great number of
fabricated news on a daily basis, it becomes increasingly difficult to sort out
the truth and the lies. Fear not, as some assistance is on its way. I have 
worked out a detailed formula for translating the news from a number of sources
into news that reflects reality. The formula has a margin of error that 
has not been characterized, yet. Further research is requried to complete the
formula. All suggestions are welcomed, though not necessairly appreciated!

CASE 1. The source of the news is a paper/magazine/radio announcement or
any other officially approved channel of communication by the IRI. For 
such cases great intelligence is required as the truth is buried in the 
article or the announcement. First, ignore the heading. Reporters in Iran
are in direct contanct with the people, particularly true of field reporters,
and see the everyday difficulties encountered by all people. However, as
they are public figures, they must follow the guielines set forth by the
Information Ministery. To extract the truth, read the article ignoring the
title. Identify the positive and negative points of the article. If the
ratio of positive to negative is over 10 to 1 then ignore the article. This
reporter has not been around too long! Else if the ratio is less than 10 to
1, then all the negative points are true and the least significant tenth of the
positive points are true. This formula is mostly correct for paper and magazine
articles, however, with minor ratio modification can be applied to 
radio and other channels of media.

CASE 2. The source of the news is a MKO interview/publication or otherwise
representing the view of MKO in a matter relating to Iran. Once again, ignore
the heading. The difficulty with digesting MKO's news is due to two balanced
factors. 1. The report is made after the event and in absence of the 
reporter. 2. Reporter's close associates were present at the event. Considering
these two factors has led us to the following conclusions.
	A. If the news is directly related to MKO's activities in Iran
	 the percentage of truth does not exceed 5%. However, which 5%
	 cannot be determined at this time and further research is 
	 required.
	
	B. News is about internals of the MKO organizatio. If it is bad news
	 accept its negative points. If it is good news, use the 10 to 1 ratio
	 developed for IRI.
	
	C. Otherwise, consider it gossip. 


CASE 3. The source of the news is Iran's large population outside the country.
The exapmles are papers/tabloids published in Los Angeles and London. Such
publications lack the nececcary criteria, they are not news papers, they are
ad papers. Little light laughter and complete disbelife is the order for such
publications. In fact the advertisements in such "fine" publications could use
a 10 to 1 ratio test!

CASE 4. The source of the news is a news agency not owend and operated by Iran.
Such news, though breif in nature, are a more accurate reflection of the truth
than most people beleive. Bias is significant in all news generated about Iran
as Iran is logistically and economically an important force in the globe. If the
news is American all positive things about Iran are true, however the LARGEST 20%
negative points are true about Iran. Smaller and often more painful lies are 
wrapped within several true statements. If the news is originally reported in
the far east, take it at face value. If it originates in Europe then it is close
to reality with minor exaggerations. For such news items it is best to read
the entire article and apply a 1 to 1 test. All the major positive news are
true and all the major negative news are true. For each positive point select
a negative point until you run out of either one. Discard the rest as garbage!


The above is applicable only to news that have room for personal opinion and
interpertation. Factual statments, e.g. Exemption from Military can be bought
at 16.6 K$$, are exempted from this test. Modifications and updates are welcomed.


--Karbalaie Hossein

Newsgroups: soc.culture.iranian