by Linda Neuman

Iran is complex by anyone’s standards. Even journalists who have spent decades reporting on it struggle to understand it fully. Yet many Westerners think they know a lot about Iran because it shows up in the headlines so often.

The words and names people see—Ahmadinejad, nuclear, oil, veil, mullah—have become synonymous with fear and distrust, and the saber-rattling between Iranian officials and the West dominates much of the media coverage. Sidebars, Web slide shows and extended interviews have not yet convinced the general public that Iran is a multidimensional story.

How much of this is the journalist’s problem? Are editors concerned that they might be perpetuating stereotypes?

The report, entitled Conventional Wisdom vs. the Inside Scoop, was composed following the Conference which brought together experts on Iranian society, economics and politics who dispelled popular misconceptions about the Iranian economy, oil, and even women, among others. To read more about each, click on the captions under each image in the slideshow to the right.

ICFJ perceived a need to take a closer look at the Iran buzzwords and find new openings for fresh approaches to reporting about Iran. You will find here an opportunity to gain insight from a unique group of experts who have made it their life’s work to understand Iran.

To see a slideshow of photos from Iran taken by Deborah Campbell, click here.

To see a slideshow of political cartoons by Nikahang Kowsar, click here.

This report is the result of our April 2008 conference “Iran 360: Exploring Politics, Economics and Society in a Global Hot Spot,” supported by USIP.