Unfortunately, nowadays Western governments are manipulating words and terms that should have very useful and constructive meanings. The word “democracy” is a clear example which has been repeatedly misused in Western countries in order to achieve specific goals and objectives.

The media, which was originally created as a tool to inform the people in a transparent manner and to raise the level of awareness in society, is now on a similar path of manipulation.
The recent scandal in Britain regarding the manipulation of the media clearly indicates that the media, as a universal term, is currently being used in a deceptive manner, just as the concepts of democracy, human rights, and the war on terrorism have been used in a misleading way.
In fact, the case suggests that, contrary to its real and natural objective as a tool to inform people, the media is being used to divert the people’s attention and to deceive people about obvious facts. In fact, here again, in the name of democracy, Western officials are attempting to change the meaning of a word in an illegitimate way.
The press and the media in the Western world are exploited as a tool by the circles of power. The recent scandal is only a minor part of the general process of hypocrisy and deception that is being used by Western governments.
This insult of the people’s intelligence is a clear example of the violation of the ethical and civil rights of the people because it will not benefit nations that are accustomed to following global events and developments through these so-called free media outlets. We feel sorry for the West over this great disgrace and shame.
However, we truly believe that the media is still the fourth estate of democracy, through which it is still possible to inform people about their inalienable rights and allow them to make the best choice, provided that it is used in a humane and correct manner.
Ramin Mehmanparast is the spokesman of the Iranian Foreign Ministry.