The game of RZ survey: Now it is your turn!

The views game

This “game” of views and viewing is the best game of life, both in terms of its common meaning and in terms of the idea of view and watching. The survey section of Zamaneh is both the submission of views and a game (to win a prize). This makes it less austere and serious. This is a step taken in the direction of the path of Zamaneh. This view-game (nazar-baazi) is in the heart of Zamaneh, because Zamaneh has invested its entire asset on it to find out where we can change the rules of the common ‘game’. If I were to prepare the question, I would have even written the questions in a playful manner, along with some fun and jokes about us. But whenever we want to cross some borders, we tend to become hesitant. We ask how far we will be accepted. How can we be both a serious media and a friendly one? How can you both play the game and still remain serious? Right here, I would like to invite everyone who can do it to prepare a less serious version for this survey. This is also a kind of game; for bloggers; for those whose writing style can be playful. I promise I will be the first one to take part in your view-game!

Play seriously!

In the past few days, dozens of people have take part in our survey. They have played seriously. There are some very interesting ideas among them in the last page of the survey where there is an opportunity for some serious talk and friendly chat. I will go back to some of them later on. However, I must add that we do have some projects which can be enhanced by the result of your play or even rejected as a result of that. You may see some traces of them in our questions. But most of them depend on having more information and feedback from you and your comments; it is important how much you like the existing Zamaneh and how you would like Zamaneh to be.

I know and it is simple to realize that whatever position Zamaneh takes, it will have some supporters and some critics. However, inevitably we have to rely on the view of those who play the game. If anyone wishes to have a part in shaping Zamaneh, this is the time for it by taking Zamaneh seriously. This game will build us (to avoid any misreading: taking this game seriously will build Zamaneh). Those who seriously wish Zamaneh to change will take time and gives us their feedback. The club of Zamaneh will be bequeathed to the winner of this game!

Against hidden agendas

The range of views among the feedbacks covers empathic and positive to critical and strict views. One listener says, “The diversity of the programmes of Zamaneh and the rapid coverage of news is increasingly becoming better. Generally, I would like to see the progress and development of this radio.” Another commenter expects, “despite claims of impartiality, Zamaneh should not be in practice the voice of any parties of the Iranian regime particularly the most cunning of them, the reformists. With all the financial supports them have in the name of the people of Iran, they must endeavour to be a safeguard the stifled voices of the nation. They should not follow the path, or rather the revealed path, of the BBC, etc. In one word, try to obtain the profile of a popular radio which is hence not pro-regime and not a propagandist of great powers; otherwise neither of your valuable cultural innovations will be valuable.” Another friend writes, “Zamaneh must have a transparent policy and aim at creating balanced news without hidden agendas.”

Pro-blogger

One friend of Zamaneh hopes, “it will go beyond this amateur and non-professional status and relate to its audience in a more professional manner.” Another commenter wants Zamaneh “to be more the radio of weblogs; the voice of those who have no tribune; it should not be following the colours of the multitude; it should have novel ideas and be innovative and flourishing. However, in the realm of politics and even news, it is just the consumer of other domestic and foreign news agencies. There are many things to say; you are still in the beginning of your way.”

Some viewers want to see more news with further analytical items and a higher speed in relating news with increased-time radio programmes. Some encourage us to remain more in the form of weblogs and avoid formalism and giving up the game. One friend of Zamaneh is telling us that now when we have a new area for practising a new job, we should not be daunted by oppositions and fall back into mainstream media: “Trial and error is for gaining experience. Do not be discouraged. Carry on with your work. You will be one of the best.”

The distance between ‘you’ and us is just one click

I cannot hide my delight that the message of Zamaneh has been heard. The fact that our message has been heard prepares the necessary ground for us to stay, continue, test, find and go ahead. The media does not live in a vacuum. It is your messages and your support that make us hopeful to continue our work.

“Zamaneh is not like anyone. This is what I like about it. I want you to talk more about taboos. I do not know how, but talking about taboos has always been controversial but it is enlightening too. I have not yet had the courage to have a personal weblog, because I am not sure if I will have the capacity to face different opinions of others. But Zamaneh, as a group, is more powerful than an individual and less vulnerable than a person. I wish I were in Europe and closer to Zamaneh.”

The audience of Zamaneh is close to it, wherever they are. The distance between us is juts one click. Your participation in this survey, whether you are close or far, will bring us closer to you. The ball is in your court now.

Mehdi Jami

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