The Exercise of Soft Power – U.S. Self-Imaging in International Broadcasting to Iran

While imagological works in the field of American Studies have traditionally focused on the construction of America by outsiders, this study takes a new approach by examining U.S. self-imaging efforts in the context of U.S. international broadcasting to Iran. The author traces the history of the Voice of America’s Persian Service and illustrates its conflict-prone organizational framework and modus operandi by considering legal documents, government reports, and personal interviews. As the inductive programming analysis and the case study of Simaye Amrica show, the Persian Service pursues a twofold image cultivation strategy by aiming to shape Iranian perceptions of the U.S. government in its news and political shows and perceptions of the American people in its arts and cultural programs.