What is exactly the Guardian trying to say with this photo that accompanied their exclusive breaking news on the Bush administration's plans to open an intersect office in Tehran? The media went crazy this past week over The New Yorker's cover- a cartoon ridiculing the Republican's attempt to portray Barack and Michelle Obama as a team of unpatriotic Americans- yet not a single word is uttered when photos such as the one on the left and on the bottom of this post is used. The heading of the article, US plans to station diplomats in Iran for first time since 1979, is followed by a mural depicting a burning American flag. The photo editors of the Guardian must not think highly of the intellect of Iranians and their readers. Photos and videos in news are suppose to supplement reports. They are not meant to cause readers to jump to far fetching conclusions. This photo can steer the reader to sway his or opinion regarding the article before ever reading a single word. This photo is a single frame that has been captured in a country with a population of over 70 million people. It does not reflect the realities of Iran. Scholars and experts on Iran have stated on many occasions that Iranians are the most pro-American people in the Middle East (disregarding the Islamic Republic's official stance towards the U.S.). However, with one look at this photo, Iran is being pigeon-holed into an un-American, flag burning country. Furthermore, this photo subtly hints that a U.S. Intersect Office in Tehran may be a dangerous situation for American diplomats.
It gets even better! Check out today's picture on the Guardian website. I'm interested to hear what other people have to say!
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