HonestReporting UK received an email from Press TV. The Iranian news service, whose English language studios are based in London, is scheduling a show titled, "Western Media: Friend or Foe of Israel?"
The Press TV staffer described a show filmed in front of a studio audience with four panelists, hosted by fringe left-wing member of Britain's Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn MP, a vocal critic of Israel. Would HonestReporting recommend anyone for the panel?
We're flattered that Press TV seeks our advice. But we also know what any guest would be in for - a panel stacked against Israel and a hostile audience. We are also willing to wager on the likely outcome of such a "debate" - that the Western media is undeniably pro-Israel and under the nefarious control of "Zionists."
Perhaps we may have previously encouraged a credible figure to appear on the show to put the other side of the argument. However, Press TV is the same news service that published Nicholas Kollerstrom's outrageous piece of Holocaust denial, The Walls of Auschwitz: A Review of the Chemical Studies and frequently features Lady Michelle Renouf, a neo-Nazi and supporter of Holocaust denier David Irving. (See Renouf in her own words.)
With this in mind, HonestReporting Managing Editor Simon Plosker sent the following reply:
Even if I were to ignore the Iranian regime's support for terrorism and genocidal intentions towards Israel, where I live, I'm afraid that I cannot, in good conscience, offer any advice or assistance to a TV station that knowingly promotes Holocaust denial as well as giving a platform to known neo-Nazis such as "Lady" Renouf.
We hope that no other individual or organization will confer any credibility on the Iranian regime's propaganda tool by cooperating with it.
