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Zusatztext 'In this eloquently-written monograph, rich in empirical history tuned with relevant theory, Dr Klüsener fills in an intriguing shadowy gap in research on the relationship between the USSR’s most important satellite – the German Democratic Republic and Iran, thereby making a number of exciting findings. It is conventional wisdom that during the forty years of its life span, the GDR merely managed to advance from the status of a vassal of the USSR to its junior partner, being entirely dependent on the Soviet Union in foreign affairs. However, as Dr Klüsener painstakingly proves in his research, the GDR’s imposing apparatus of printed media functioned through a totally different mechanism in reporting on Iran, mostly relying on Western news sources. This analysis is tied to the key historical developments and the findings are the more crucial, given the GDR’s role, entrusted by the USSR, as a proxy-handler of the Tudeh party – Iran’s communists. The book is a must-read for both scholars of Iran and the Soviet Bloc and researchers into mass media in authoritarian societies.' Informationen zum Autor Edgar Klüsener is Senior Lecturer in Music Journalism at the Manchester College of BIMM. Previously he was Teaching Assistant in Sociology at The University of Manchester, U.K, where he also completed his PhD. He has published numerous journal articles in German and is a professional journalist. Zusammenfassung Economic and political relations with Iran were a primary concern for the German Democratic Republic leadership and dominated the GDR's press. This is the first book to analyse the representation of Iran in the media! from the GDR's formation in 1949 until 1989! the last complete year before its demise. Covering key events! such as the overthrow of the Mossadegh government in 1953! the White Revolution! the Islamic Revolution of 1979! and the Iran-Iraq war! the author reveals that only in periods where the two countries enjoyed less amicable or poor relations! was the press free to critically report events in Iran and openly support the cause of the country's communist party! the Tudeh. The book explores the use of the press as a tool for ideological education and propaganda. It also examines how the state's official Marxist-Leninist ideology! the GDR's international competition with West Germany! and cultural prejudices and stereotypes impacted reporting so powerfully. Inhaltsverzeichnis Chapter I – Framing the discourse German- Iranian relations in historical perspective East German – Iranian relationsEast Germany’s press – the party’s sharpest swordThe origins of the East German press systemControlling the press Chapter II – News as a business The Emergence of global news agencies global news monopoliesThe Allgemeine Deutsche Nachrichtenagenturb(ADN) – news and propaganda Chapter III – 1949 - 1960 Economic interests, competition with West GermanyThe Mossadegh era: 1951 – 1953 Chapter IV – 1961 – 1969 Our reader Annedore Schr Western sourcesFrom the Tudeh’s point of view: how Iranian exiles used the press of the GDR Chapter V – 1970 – 1979 Amicable relations and revolutions; Iran on the chessboard of the US global strategistsRally in Astara Chapter VI – 1980 – 1989 Don’t mention the warWar, neutrality and double-dealingsThe war – a business opportunity for the GDROpposition to the Islamic Republic...
