Media circus for Ahmadinejad in US

People demonstrate againt Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad outside Columbia University in New York where he was invited to speak. [AFP]

28 September 2007

This week on the Listening Post, Richard Gizbert analyses the media circus surrounding Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to the US and also takes a look at how the news media analyses Osama Bin Laden's videos. We also review the latest viral video making waves on the net. One is the shocking footage of an American university student being Tasered and the other is a clip of one of pop star Britney Spears' most vocal fans.

Top of the show this week, we take a critical look at the news media's handling of Mahmoud Ahmedinejad's visit to the United States. The Iranian President was reluctantly cleared to enter America to participate in the United Nations annual General Assembly, but the simple fact of his presence on US soil created bigger media waves than his actual UN address did. It was a clash of media agenda's – Ahmedinejad's agenda and the agenda of US news organizations.

Top of the show this week, we look at the news media's handling of President Ahmadinejad's visit to the United States. The Iranian President gained entry to the US to participate in the United Nations annual General Assembly. His presence on US soil created an outcry in the press. "The Evil has landed", "Go to Hell" and "Access of Evil" screamed the headlines.

One of Osama bin Laden's videos

Ahmadinejad's Q&A session at Columbia University generated more column inches and airtime than his UN address. An antagonistic introduction from the University's President was broadcast around the world and this time round the holocaust denying president caused a stir by claiming homosexuality did not exist in Iran.

Our other big story is on Osama Bin Laden's surprising foray into the world of blogging. As well as posting his own video messages, it seems that Bin Laden is also a keen reader of blogs. We caught up with one blogger who was referenced in Bin Laden's latest video clip.

A parent who's child died trying to escape to the Canary Islands in Spain.

In Newsbytes, we update you on the other big media stories. The Spanish government has launched a $1.4m television advertising campaign to dissuade West Africans from migrating to Spain.

The advert shows disturbing images of people who have died attempting the 12 day crossing from Senegal to the Canary Islands. In the US, Hillary Clinton made an impressive appearance on five Sunday morning talk shows reeling off identical facts and soundbites. Less impressive is the footage of a university student being Tasered by campus security for becoming too vocal in his questioning of John Kerry. The video is the latest of many clips of students being attacked by trigger-happy US university police.

Chris Crocker on youtube with his sobbing plea to people to 'Leave Britney Alone'.

We also take a quick look at state run television. This week's offering is from the Ukraine, where army recruits are lured by images of adoring female fans.

And finally, our video of the week features Chris Crocker youtube's latest shining star. He made it big with his sobbing plea to people to 'Leave Britney Alone'. Are those crocodile tears? Decide for yourself.

Part 1

Part 2