University of Wollongong Research Online University of Wollongong Thesis Collection University of Wollongong Thesis Collections 1996 A review of journalism in Iran: the functions of the press and traditional communication channels in the Constitutional Revolution of Iran Ali Asghar Kia University of Wollongong Recommended Citation Kia, Ali Asghar, A review of journalism in Iran: the functions of the press and traditional communication channels in the Constitutional Revolution of Iran, Doctor of Philosophy thesis, Graduate School of Journalism, University of Wollongong, 1996. http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/1882 Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact the UOW Library: [email protected] A REVIEW OF JOURNALISM IN IRAN: THE FUNCTIONS OF THE PRESS AND TRADITIONAL COMMUNICATION CHANNELS IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL REVOLUTION OF IRAN A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY from UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG by ALI ASGHAR KIA FACULTY OF CREATIVE ARTS GRADUATE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM 1996 ii CERTIFICATION I certify that the work analysed in the functions of the press and traditional communication channels in the Constitutional revolution of 1906 in Iran is entirely my own work. References to the work of others are indicated in the text. This work has not been submitted for the award of any other degree or diploma at any other university. AH AsgharKia August 1996 iii ABSTRACT THE FUNCTIONS OF THE PRESS AND TRADITIONAL COMMUNICATION CHANNELS IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL REVOLUTION OF IRAN This thesis is essentially a study of the development of the Iranian press, principally in the latter 19th Century and early 20th Century, and its relationship with traditional Communications systems during the broad period of the Constitutional Revolution, a seminal event in contemporary Iranian history. Although the core period of the Constitutional Revolution was 1906-11, the thesis also studies the role of both mass and traditional Communications systems in the preparatory period from the early 1880s. Furthermore, it looks more briefly at the aftermath of the Constitutional period until 1925 when the Pahlavi dynasty succeeded to the throne of Iran. Thus, the thesis examines the press and its evolving role in Iranian society during a crucial period of more than 50 years after establishing a context for the introduction of printing and a press tradition in Iran. Overall, the Iranian press has had a turbulent history of some 150 years complicated by the country's struggle for democracy and national independence. The fortunes of the press have followed the politicai fortunes of the country. From the early 19th century until the Islamic revolution of 1979, the print media has been strictly controlled by the politicai regimes. The Constitutional Revolution was the first step toward the realisation of freedom of press in Iran. However, the revolutionary forces were defeated by strong feudal elements who were supported by British and Russian imperialists. Nevertheless, one of the most remarkable features of the revolution was the rapid development of publications and the creation of new forms of politicai journalism which deeply influenced the modem history of Iran. During the revolutionary period, the number of iv publications increased and journalism as a social instrument of change played a significant role in enlightening the Iranian people. This thesis considers in particular three types of publications: the Politicai papers, the Humorous or satire (Tanz) and Nocturnal Letters (Shabnameh) or Underground Papers. Then, three functions of the press during the mobilisation of 1906-12 are identified and analysed: • The leadersliip function of the politicai press; • The persuasion or stimulative function of the humorous or satire (Tanz) papers; and • The information function of the nocturnal letters (Shabnameh) or underground papers. This thesis will also briefly discuss the Iranian exile publications and their functions. Analysis of politicai and satire (Tanz) papers in particular reveals the manner in which the press played an active role in the social awakening of the Iranian people during the constitutional revolutionary period. Iran's politicai press expanded dramatically between 1900-1925, and some of those papers, notably the Sure-Israfil (The Angel of Resurrection), the Habl al-Matin (Firm Cord), the Mosavat (Equality), and Nasime- Shomal (Northern Breeze), played a serious role in popular enlightenment. Today, we cannot understand Iranian journalism without tracing its historical, politicai and economic backgrounds. Hence, a part of this thesis is devoted to the socio-political and economic development culminating in the Constitutional Revolution, so as to establish a context for the analysis of print media, bazaar and mosque systems of communication. In addition to the print media (Newspapers & Magazines), the traditional communication channels, especially the bazaar and pulpit (Minbar) , also played a central role as politicai channels during the Constitutional Revolution.From the early 19th century until the Islamic Revolution of February 1979, the bazaar in Iran was constantly in conflict with the various politicai regimes in power. Historically, the V bazaar in Iran has also served as a centre of urban life and an effective communication and politicai network largely independent of central government. During the constitutional revolutionary period the bazaar and merchants were the main agents of revolution, with the emergent press essentially complementing their decisive role. The thesis compares and assesses the respective role and contribution of both the formal mass Communications channels through the press and traditional Communications system through bazaar and mosque. While it stresses the overriding importance of these traditional channels in the Constitutional Revolutionary period, it also argues that during this period the basis was established for an increasingly viable and influential system of mass Communications in Iran. vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I thank the many individuais and institutions who have helped and sustained me in the completion of this thesis. I am indebted particularly to Iran's Ministry of Culture and Higher Education for providing me the opportunity to pursue my Ph.D studies at University of Wollongong. I am very much indebted to my Supervisor Professor Ciem Lloyd, Head of the Graduate School of Journalism at the University of Wollongong, for his unfailing support, encouragement, advice, kindness and direction so helpful in presenting this research. I would also like to thank Professor Hamid Mowlana, Director of the School of International Service at the American University, for his considerate help in the early stage of this research. I want to thank my brother and sisters, ali my Iranian friends Abbas Salimi, director of Kayhan-Havai Paper; Mohammad Ali Taqavi, Hossein Sadrinia, editors of Kayhan-Havai Paper; and colleagues especially, Professor Bagar Sarokhani, Head of the Department of Sociology at the University of Tehran, dProfessor Kazem Motamednejad, Dr Mohsenian Rad, Dr Naim Badii, Head of the Graduate School of Communication at the University of Allameh Tabatabai, and Dr Mohammd Imam, lecturer at the University of Shiraz. I also owe thanks to Vicky Wallace, Stuart Hill, and Dianne Smith, technical officers, and Eric Loo and David Blackall, lecturers of the Graduate School of Journalism at the University of Wollongong. Special thanks are due to Lorraine Lynch who offered me many facilities for research and gave me support at a time when it was much needed. The present study would not have been possible without the kind assistance of the AustraUan National Library in Canberra, National and the Parliament Libraries of Iran, and Centre for Media Studies & Researches of Iran, and most importantly, the Libraries of the University of Wollongong and the Graduate School of Journalism at the University of Wollongong. vii DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to ali Iranian journalists throughout history who have striven to publish their opinions and new ideas, discover new worlds, and to obtain knowledge and science; To ali of the people and journalists throughout history who respected human rights and tried to print freely accurate facts and to establish understanding between nations; To my parents. To my wife Soheila Kia; my son Kiarash and my daughter Kemeya. viii GLOSSARY Adalat Khaneh: House of justice Anjoman: Society Aqayid: Ideas, ideology Arbab: Master, Landowner, Landlord Ashura: A religious day associated with the Battle of Karbala, tenth day of the month of Moharram Ayatollah: Highest religious rank and title Azan: Call to prayer Bast: Taking of sanctuary Caliph: The politicai and Religious Leader of the Islamic empire, Ruler Dong: One-sixth part of any piece of real estate Dehgan: Peasant attached to a plough-land, landed proprietor Enghelab-e-Mashrutiyat: The Constitutional Revolution of 1906-1911 Faghih: Man learned in Islamic Jurisprudence. Fatva: Religious proclamation or declaration, a religious opinion or edict by a Faghih, Mujtahid or Ayatollah. Ghasbi: Usurpation, dispossession Hadith: A record of an action or saying of Prophet Mohammad. Hijrat: Migration after the model of prophet Mohammad's migration from Mecca to Medina Ifratiyun: Radicais, Democrats Ijma: Consensus of opinion Ijtihad: Endeavour; exercise of independence legal judgement ix Imam: dPrayer-Leader,