Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Publish date: July 06 • Printable version    

Vision and missions

In Persian we say: "All people know all things." Abraham Lincoln phrased the same idea this way: "You can fool some of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but not all of the people all of the time." The idea in both of these statements reveals the power of free speech. It is the power to reveal the truth. It is the power to question and debate.

This is the idea at the heart of Radio Zamaneh. Radio Zamaneh is more than a radio station, more than a website. It is an open forum that invites its audience to participate by producing their own programs, adding their own articles and comments, and by taking ownership of the medium. Through a combination of professional and citizen journalism, Radio Zamaneh demonstrates the power of democratic values in a democratic medium. Every contribution we receive brings us closer to understanding situations in Iran.

Radio Zamaneh employs an open system and solicits contributions from readers and listeners. While still in its infancy, our open production system has already introduced many new voices and anticipates many more to come. Forty-two percent of the respondents to our first survey expressed the desire to contribute programming to Radio Zamaneh. It is our responsibility to give them the tools, the software and training that will make them successful.

Program-making

Content addresses social as well as cultural issues; gives an outlook on topics relating to women and minorities; discusses themes such as religion, philosophy, satire, and domestic and foreign politics. Iranian media cannot independently report on these topics.

Radio Zamaneh aims to be the most respected source of information about Iran and to offer a democratic platform that gives voice to both professional and citizen reporters. Radio Zamaneh’s programming endeavors to adhere to its core values:

  • Promote peace in the region
  • Support democratic values
  • Foster a free flow of unbiased information
  • Raise pubilc awareness of civil rights
  • Promote the arts and culture of Iran
  • Be a voice for the unheard
  • Break taboos
  • Address challenges and obstacles for democracy and human rights