Apparently, the British government is attempting to shut down Iranian-owned Press Tv. It continues however, to broadcast on television and on its website, where I first stumbled on its videos because PressTv is actually covering the civilian death toll of the Afghan conflict. Video postings include the slaughter of a family at marriage ceremony in Farah province by a multi-ton bomb dropped by Nato by mistake and the attempt by the Taliban to storm Kabul last summer, which is particularly memorable because the reporter on the scene was virtually thrown off his feet by the impact of the gunfire. The reporter was fine and still continues to file reports within minutes of an incident in this war torn country to PressToday which still broadcasts on television and the internet. www.presstv.ir
If state owned RussiaToday are to be believed they get many million hits on their website every day. Their site which has featured some great video postings including the anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre, as well as the now legendary Max Keisar who has been fated by many internet fans including Greek bloggers who wanted to make him their boss, is according to Russia Today being targeted by no less a person as Hilary Clinton. The US Secretary of State believes that the America is losing all the powerful propaganda war to amongst others, Russia, China and Iran.
The internet and how to use it to get your own way is still an area that is baffling media barons and great powers alike.
Video postings if they are compulsive viewing like Max Keisar will always attract fans, whether the organisations promoting him, which also includes Iran’s PressTV, will find their point of view becoming the dominant voice in this arena of many voices is another thing though.
Should you charge for online content, whether it is news stories or the attached video that always accompany them? Clearly, Rupert Murdoch, pioneer or power mad media magnate – take your pick – believes so. He is currently attempting to convince The Times and The Sunday Times readers to pay fee, however little, to get the chance to visit the website that hosts these world famous titles. One media owner who be keenly monitoring his progress will be the Guardian, whose combination of articles and videos have resulted in a million hits a day.ย Murdoch’s latest move remindedย me of a couple of things thatย his former employees said of him – one that he isย always prepared to take risks, apparently he bet the bank when he launched Sky TV, and the other that he will never be retiring,ย when he goes it will be with his boots on, something that even his detractors will have toย admit is impressive.