Hello, my name is Kristen Inbody. I'm a journalism student at the University of Montana in the USA.

I've been reading the Tehran Times for the past few months for a paper I'm doing on the press of the Middle East. I never realized there were so many biases in the US media until I read newspapers that operated with a different view of the world. After reading your newspaper online I have some questions that I would appreciate an answer to if you find the time.

First of all, why did you decide to publish in English? Is there another version, and if so, is the content the same? What is the goal of the Tehran Times? Many editorials have been very critical of US policy. What is your view of the US itself? Do you have any advice for American journalism students who need a bigger world view than what they get on CNN? Thank you so much for your time. I've enjoyed reading your newspaper. It has definitely broadened my perspective.

Kristen Inbody, UM School of Journalism

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Thank you so much for your letter. We are happy that you are reading our paper. We publish in English because it is an international language.

There is no Persian language version of the newspaper. The TEHRAN TIMES has many goals such as realistic information dissemination, covering the news objectively and trying to present a true image of Iran and the Islamic Revolution.

As far as our view of the United States is concerned, we definitely differentiate between the U.S. government and citizens. In other words, we believe that the broad-minded U.S. citizens do not share the domineering and hegemonic attitude of their government, nor do they approve of the evil influence of the Zionist lobby over most of their state institutions.

To get a broader perspective on world events you must have many sources of information and you have to pay attention to both sides of the story. Also, it is important to be aware of the cultural and historical context of issues. Check out Middle East News Online (middleeastwire.com), the Cuban newspaper ***Granma***, the Xinhua News Agency of China, and the Pacifica Radio Network (at peacenet.org) in the U.S.A.

By the way, Pacifica was once banned from broadcasting in the state of Pennsylvania. Do you know if they are still banned? Perhaps there is more freedom of the press and media here in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

We are always interested in hearing our readers' views, so feel free to e-mail us whenever you like.

Editor