Iran Focus
According to their website, Iran Focus is a U.K-based "non-profit news service provider that focuses on events in Iran, Iraq and the Middle East ... dedicated to providing comprehensive, up-to-date information and news on the Persian Gulf region in a fair and balanced manner." [1](Italics added)
The nonprofit claim is impossible to verify as the site provides no information on their source of funding, their board of directors or even their staff. None of the articles written by Iran Focus carry a byline and the "sources" they cite are often unidentified.
The domain name registration for the site is in the name of Mohammad Hanif Jazayeri, who is Iran Focus’ current executive editor. Jazayeri is a 21 year old student from Great Britain whose parents both have been members of the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran PMOI, a political arm of the MKO. Hanif has been campaigning to have the PMOI removed from the UK list of designated terrorist organisations. [2]
In his article ‘Iran Focus: The MKO Propaganda Machine’ Nema Milaninia reports that Iran Focus is an agency run by the the Mojahdin-e-khalq organization, MKO, MEK an Iranian opposition group named as a terrorist organization by the US State Department. He claims that the news outlet is used as a tool for disseminating propaganda in order to:
- 1. Remove the MKO from the UK’s and USA’s list of terrorist organizations.
- 2. Present the MKO and its associated bodies as a legitimate opposition group and the “democratic” alternative to the current Iranian government. [3]
Regardless of whether Iran Focus is affiliated with the MKO, the "fair and balanced" label is questionable at best. Their attempts to paint the current government in Iran as evil is obvious. The pro PMOI slant to their stories is also readily apparent. [4] [5] [6]
Contact Details
Iran Focus
PO Box 54238
London, W14 9ZA
United Kingdom
Web: http://www.iranfocus.com
External links
- Nema Milaninia, "Iran Focus: The MKO Propaganda Machine", Iranian Truth, July 13th, 2005.
- Nema Milaninia, "Made up Stories.com The MKO propaganda Machine" Iranian.com, August 1, 2005.
