TRADING ARMS FOR HOSTAGES - HOW THE GOVERNMENT AND PRINT MEDIA SPIN PORTRAYALS OF THE UNITED-STATES-POLICY TOWARD IRAN

The relationship between the United States and Iran has had an importa nt influence on world affairs during the past two decades. Accordingly , the U.S. news media have an instrumental role in portraying U.S.-Ira n relations to the public. The Iranian Revolution and hostage crisis o f 1979-1981, the TWA hijacking of 1985, the Irangate controversy of 19 86-1987, and the Persian Gulf War of 1990-1991 are examples of importa nt media events that have impacted public opinion regarding U.S. polic y toward Iran. This research analyzes government and print media portr ayals of the Reagan administration's U.S.-Iran policy during Irangate. Results supported the prediction that the print media would fulfill t heir ''watchdog'' function by providing more critical portrayals of th e United States' policy toward Iran than the Tower Commission Report, an investigative document published by President Reagan's Special Revi ew Board. Among the three leading newspapers analyzed, there was signi ficant diversity in the reporting of U.S.-Iran relations. Results indi cate the Reagan administration's attempt to ''spin'' its version of Ir angate did not successfully pressure the media to neglect their watchd og role. Although the Tower Commission Report was less critical of U.S . policy toward Iran than the print media, all four print media source s portrayed the Reagan administration's policy as a flawed approach th at degenerated into trading arms for hostages. Implications of these f indings for future research are discussed.