Friday
Apr092010
Iran: How I Suddenly Disappeared on Press TV
Friday, April 9, 2010 at 20:11 
This afternoon, I was called by a very nice production assistant from Press TV in Tehran, who asked if I would contribute to their evening News Analysis at 1830 GMT, discussing Iran's nuclear programme. I have had appeared unedited on Press TV on numerous occasions, so I agreed. I learned that another guest would be Dr Seyed Mohammad Marandi of the University of Tehran, with whom I have worked since 2001.Just before 1830, the production assistant rang. I did the soundcheck --- "Hello, I'm Scott Lucas, speaking to you from Birmingham in the United Kingdom". She was about to put me through to studio and then suddenly said, "I'll have to call you back."
I thought this might be a technical issue of the line but, as the clock reached 1830 GMT, I wondered. I went downstairs and flipped on Press TV.
At 1840 GMT, after the presenter's introduction of the topic, I had the eerie experience of watching her say:
On this programme, we ask our guests, "Iran's Nuclear Achievements: A National Pride and Right or aPolitical Aggression?"
Joining me to answer that question --- in the studio here, we have the head of the North American Studies Department at Tehran University, Professor Mohammad Marandi. We also have from the Middle East programme at Chatham House, Yossi Mekelberg, from London. And Professor of American Studies at the University of Birmingham, Professor Scott Lucas, on the phone.
I checked. Dial tone on the landline, mobile working. But no sign of an incoming call.
Three minutes later, after the opening statements of Marandi and Mekelberg, eerie turned to comic:
We've got the point there, Professor Lucas (I checked both phones again --- nothing), what Mr Mekelberg is saying. Oh sorry, Dr Shah....Do we not have Professor Lucas, can I just confirm this? No. We're going to go over to Dr Saeb Shaath on the phone from Belfast. Apologies there for introducing you incorrectly.
The very nice production assistant never did call back.
Reader Comments (12)
I think they call that "Orwellian."
I fail to understand how you can take Marandi seriously after seeing his constant shilling for Ahmadinejad and his obviously manipulated appearances on PressTV. I wonder how Samuel feels about this.
very unproffesional.
Hmm I smell a rat. Who knows maybe Mr. Marandi pointed out your blog and your recent entries over at Race for Iran as potentially contentious. Adding 2 plus 2 they probably figured out Scott wouldn't leave the human rights issues alone. Can't have the truth being discussed on Iranian state TV. Hopefully you will let the folks over at Race for Iran know about the "technical difficulties." Maybe they will realize just how "objective" the tyrannical regime in Iran is. Doubt it but maybe it might register with a few.
In any event the whole event is quite a laugh!!!!
Bill,
Right on the mark. IMHO, our "SL" here must be getting a rep -- he's just too concerned with people's rights and well being! Doesn't seem to get the 'dust and dirt of it' maybe.
Thanks for trying to make it on air, Prof Lucas.
Very interesting story Scott. I'm not surprised they would do something like that. I'm more surprised that they booked you in the first place, considering your penchant for say -- truth telling.
Hi Scott,
It looks like Marandi liked the idea of debating you, but someone in the regime media was too scared to allow that.
Regards,
Ali
This tells me that they are really scared of everything and any truth about them. I think we should spread the story around as much as we can to show their real face.
Scott, what a shame! I would have loved to see you and Marandi discuss the topic. I assume that if Press TV has booked you before that means they know what viewpoint they're getting, so this was either just a sloppy mix-up: one assistant booked you and another booked the guy in Belfast, his phone got hooked up to them but your name was on the script, or..... maybe Dr Marandi just wasn't "in the mood" for you yesterday. ;-)
If it actually was a sloppy mistake, then it is still surprising no one ever called you to apologise, especially if they want to have you on again in the future.
Scott,
That's actually hilarious! Better luck next time...
Can anyone tell me why Netenyahu suddenly not going to turn up at Obama's star studded Nuclear Security Conference in Washington. Was that due to some Israeli agents in the Bush mark 2 US administration tipping him off that Turkey & Egypt were going to take him to task publicly & bring up the issue of Israel's undisclosed but well known US enabled arsenal of nuclear weapons. Did someone in the Obama administration to not have him there lest attention turns away from Iran to Israel, which by any account is a bigger threat to peace and security especially under its current extremist government which has clearly shown by its belligerent actions that it has no intention to reach a peace deal with the Palestinians. If Scott is accusing Press TV or the Iranian govt of fearing his truth then they are not the only ones. The bigger bullies of this world are even more afraid of being told that they are actually walking around naked whilst accusing others of doing so. On the other hand it could all be down to a bad connection. Just get a better phone mate and don't be so paranoid, I am sure it was nothing personal.
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