Hi (), also known as Hi International, was a glossy, teen lifestyle publication targeted at Middle Eastern and Muslim youth. Like Alhurra and Radio Sawa, the magazine was a tool of public diplomacy, produced by the United States State Department in conjunction with The Magazine Group, an external publishing company.

The magazine was distributed monthly. The targeted audience ranged from ages 18 to 35. According to some reports, the price per issue was $2, and others stated that the price range was $1.50-3.00. Each issue had 72 pages. and 17<!--22 minus 5 is 17--> other countries, with printing occurring in the Philippines.

The government stated that the magazine would not discuss politics nor would it discuss controversial issues, such as Al Qaeda, the Arab–Israeli conflict, the 2003 invasion of Iraq, or Afghanistan.

Purpose

Hi International was an instrument of public diplomacy—the attempt to promote U.S. national interests by informing, engaging, and influencing people around the world. The State Department produced Hi with the explicit goal of informing the youth of the Middle East and Muslim world about American culture. The project was based on the supposition that if this demographic had a clearer understanding of what America is really like, then some of their hostility could be assuaged. Consequently, the publication attempted to characterize America as a beautiful, multicultural sanctuary for technology and innovation. Political issues were largely ignored.

Reception

Jon Carroll of the San Francisco Chronicle stated that "Hi sounds a little jaunty under the circumstances" as it was distributed during the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.

References

Further reading

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