In Iran, a local news and comedy show similar to "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" has gained immense popularity among Iranians who live under a strict regime. Broadcast by Voice of America in Washington, D.C., the show is called "Parazit," or "static," because it is often blocked by the Iranian government.
The personalities behind Parazit, Kambiz Hosseini and Saman Arbabi, both came to the U.S. about ten years ago. Arbabi says he was inspired to do the show because "99.9.9 percent of the news that comes out of Iran is bitter...It's always something horrible."
Millions of Iranians tune into the show illegally, either via satellite dish or through the Internet. The show's content varies from fake news reports to serious interviews and news stories about recent protests in the Arab world. Even Iranians living outside of Iran watch the show religiously as a way to keep up with events in their home country.
Jon Stewart recently hosted Hosseini and Arbabi on his show, telling them that "when you watch the show, you feel...the heart and the anger."
Quotes
"That's a very great moment for me and Saman to do this, because doing this show from Iran, meaning that country already becomes democratic, and they can tolerate a show like this in their media, criticizing their own government." - Kambiz Hosseini, host of "Parazit"
"Whether they like us or they don't like us, a lot of people have come together from many sides of the opposition groups, including even the government, and they watch the show. Now, if they choose to change their mind and see things a little bit differently, that's up to them." - Saman Arbabi, host of "Parazit"
Warm Up Questions
1. Where is Iran? Who is in charge of the government there?
2. What is the definition of a free press?
3. What is censorship?
Discussion Questions
1. How do the TV shows you watch, websites you visit and newspapers or magazines you read shape your view of the world?
2. Why do you think so many Iranians watch Parazit even though it is technically illegal? Do you think you would watch it if you lived in Iran?
3. Why do you think the Iranian government has responded to Parazit by making its own version of the show? What might that accomplish?
Additional Resources
