UPDATE: The statements below were written in July 2007 when I began “The American Dream” and reflect the promises ATN gave me at that time that I would not be censored.  Obviously those promises have not been kept, as I explained on December 7, 2007 (Censorship at ATN/Press TV and the End of “the American Dream”) and in the comments below. Specifically, I was fired for hosting a panel that included some of the most prominent Persian scholars in America, including critics of the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.  (The panel also included a supporter of the Iranian President. Needless to say, the supporter was not controversial.)
 
I also believed my being Jewish may have played a role in the firing, given the shock, surprise, and horror manifested by the producer who hired me when she discovered by religious faith.  But the greater reason was that I refused to be censored, and the attempts by ATN to censor me became increasingly less subtle over a very short few months until we were having open battles over content every single show. I wanted balanced content reflecting the views from all spectrums in American thought.  My bosses, despite repeated express promises that I would have an uncensored show, obviously did not want the balance I sought and would occasionally invite even certified wackos, like followers of Lyndon LaRouche, on the American Dream.  They also violated their contractual promise to provide me with copies of the shows I hosted.
 
I repeat here what I said in the comments below:
 
“Well, the experiment failed. Apparently, either Press TV or ATN (it’s not clear which, but I suspect it was Press TV who forced ATN to break its promise to me) could not handle a non-censored, no-holds-barred look at American policies when such policies involved Iran. I can’t say I’m surprised it ended up this way. I knew it might well. But I am disappointed.
 
As I saw it when I took the job, I either would convey a fair and uncensored presentation of American policies and politics to an Arab world that so rarely gets an unbiased view, or prove that the Iranian dictatorship could not handle a free press. Sadly, after four months of doing the former, I proved the latter.
 
But I can hold my head up high. I said that I would not continue under censorship. And I did not.”

Below is my original post:

Mark has just begun hosting a new television show called “The American Dream” on ATN. ATN provides the show to satellite channels, the largest being Press TV. Press TV is a new 24-hour English language news channel funded by Iran, but independent of that Government. You can hear Mark’s show (played at 1pm, 8pm, Midnight, and 5 am Eastern Time) by clicking here.
 
Mark welcomes your blog comments on the new show.
 
Important Note: Mark does not endorse the policies of the Government of Iran, and he is not expected to do so on the new show. His job is similar to that on THE INSIDE SCOOP, to explain the inner workings of the American Government, policies and politics (only now to an international audience).
 
Mark: “I know my new employment will be controversial to some long-time listeners. Rest assured, I am not being censored. And, if I am ever censored, I will quit. My hope is to start to bridge the extremely wide gulf between America and the peoples of the Middle East and Europe. And the only way to do this is for us to talk to each other. All of you know of my reputation. While I am often extremely critical of our current President, I continue to be patriotically devoted to my country, the United States of America, in the fervent belief that one day, we again will have a Government that respects the United States Constitution and the rule of law.”
 
“I encourage everyone–American and non-American–to watch the new show and to call me on the carpet by writing on this blog if you ever feel that I am abandoning any of my core principles. I intend to have guests on the PressTV show from all political walks of life and to ask tough questions of everyone, including folks with whom I agree. You can also feel free to call in and ask me about the PressTV television show during my radio show.”
 
“In sum, I thought long and hard before accepting this position. And I finally decided that in a time of increasing misunderstanding and mistrust between America and much of the rest of the world (especially the Arab, Persian, and Muslim world), it was more important than ever that I explain American policies worldwide and to do so with the same uncompromising candor and ‘inside scoop’ that I’ve done domestically for more than four years. I assure everyone I will pull no punches.”
 
“I do not in ANY way endorse ANY other show on Press TV, many of which, I’m sorry to say, appear to be the worst kind of anti-US, anti-Israel propaganda. I can only vouch for my own show.