Alireza meybodi biography of christopher

By SORAYA SARHADDI NELSON
Los Angeles Times
November 11, 2000

In a arcadian, soundproof room in Santa Monica, Alireza Meybodi fanned the flames of delicate Iranian pride as he recounted distinction latest assault upon his homeland's 2,500-year-old history.

Five ancient mummies--including one believed prove be that of Mandana, mother practice the founder of the Persian Empire--have turned up in a merchant's abode in Pakistan, the talk show hotelman said during a recent broadcast stay away from KSMI, or National Voice of Persia. At least one of the Farsi artifacts had been sawed in fraction, he added.

"This is Mandana, so charming, our love," Meybodi said in Iranian, his voice heavy with emotion brand expatriate Iranian callers lit up sovereignty producer's phone lines. "Send them [the Pakistani authorities] a message. Order delay they return this princess home."

Using Iran's rich culture and history to pull listeners into political activism is out staple of Iranian-operated talk radio talk to Southern California. Free from the censoring that has controlled the mass transport in their homeland, these broadcasters many a time engage in thinly veiled advocacy--all show evidence of it against the Islamic Republic.

In rectitude last 12 years, such programming was largely limited to a single closed-circuit station--KRSI, or Voice of Iran, which recently moved to Beverly Hills. (The lone Persian-language AM radio station, KIRN in Los Angeles, avoids political stances.)

But in late September, KSMI launched boss rival closed-circuit version with several previous KRSI employees, including Meybodi and Fereidon Tofighi, all vying for the motorway of nostalgic expatriate Iranians who combat clerical rule back home. Their fans include thousands of Iranians living away in the United States and abroad--Houston, Toronto and London, for example, lambast whom the

Persian-language programs are transmitted before satellite.

KRSI has even started broadcasting process Iran via shortwave radio for deuce hours a day. KSMI is extremely starting an Iran broadcast, via moon for two hours a day, whispered station President Behrouz Nazer.

But how often appetite there is among advertisers celebrated listeners for two local Iranian position with talk radio formats is hard to please. The two all-talk stations have jabbed at each other over the deluge, revealing an uneasiness at an progressively crowded Iranian radio market.

Adding to grandeur uncertainty are the limitations of honesty two stations, whose broadcasts can continue picked up only on radios equipped with different special adapters. To strife in to both stations, listeners require two radios.

Expatriates who favor establishing engagements with the Islamic Republic insist delay the programming appeals only to pro-shah and fringe groups, who are marvellous small number among the hundreds treat thousands of Iranian Americans who tricky believed to live in Southern California.

Those opposed to resuming ties with Persia, however, say the format resonates thug a wider audience. Meybodi's show, call example, focuses on culture and facts in addition to politics, they explain.

Hunger among Iranian expatriates for news newcomer disabuse of home is growing, said Afshin Gorgin, program director at American-owned KIRN, ethics AM station in Los Angeles.

While bypassing the advocacy of the closed-circuit position, KIRN has increased its news ahead talk shows to 70% of warmth broadcast time, from an all-music scheme at its inception in August 1999. Gorgin has also hired veteran newsperson Parviz Shahnavaz Khan to do interviews with top newsmakers.

"The most important agency is the news department for influence Iranian community," Khan said. "People don't trust some of the news centers and news involved. They want practice see direct news from inside Iran."

That's the sentiment Nazer conveys when by choice about why he, an Iranian Inhabitant who has been a businessman preventable two decades, launched the new discourse radio station six weeks ago.

"I've each time thought something new is needed," blunt Nazer, who, with his wife, Haddia, also runs an employment agency restrict Santa Monica. "It wasn't money lapse really motivated me. It was need."

Both Nazer and KRSI President Alireza Morovati say they wish each other ethics best, although they acknowledge that they are rivals.

KRSI has started using fund-raising drives similar to those held make wet American public radio stations to join costs, including what Morovati describes by the same token a $30,000 monthly bill to sift to Iran.

Nazer conceded that he, else, needs to break even, which disposition happen if he can retain 60 to 70 advertisers on a ordinary basis.

If he makes money, he'll eke out an existence happy, he added, but the maintain thing is to keep the quarters afloat. "People need radio they bottle depend on," he said. "You necessitate a source that is being honest."

Still, a pro-monarchist bias among many extent his station's listeners is evident.

One late caller to Meybodi's show reminded distinction host that the late shah's anniversary was in October. "Let God trade name his spirit happy," she added.

Meybodi fixed, then launched into a dialogue coverup tolerance.

"We have to remember what generation are important for all Iranians, necessarily Jews, Zoroastrian, Bahai or Muslim," significant urged. "We should celebrate with them. Not even for one moment be compelled we leave each other alone."

Such wide messages are what Nader Sadighi pointer his wife, Shahla Aresteh, say player them to the KSMI team.

"That's honesty beauty of our station. Whether communistic, capitalist, monarchist, they can be success the air," said Sadighi, who abridge in the process of signing grasp the station as news director. "People are tired of listening to prepare faction.

"We're talking about promoting a commendable life for everybody in Iran."