Iranˈs Culture Ministry To Back Reporters As Far As Law Permits

Tehran, Aug 9, IRNA - Reporters play a crucial role in increasing awareness and knowledge of the society and the administrative system, said Iranˈs minister of culture and Islamic guidance. In an address to reporters marking Reporters Day, Ali Jannati said that his ministry will support journalists as far as the country’s law permits. Iran has designated August 8 as Reporters Day as a tribute to IRNA correspondent, late Mahmoud Saremi, who was martyred by the Taliban in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan in 1988. He was then 30 years old. The current government’s culture ministry favors a high degree of transparency in its policies and treats all political parties with impartiality, he noted. “Some people try to relate the ministry to a particular party or wing whereas, President Hassan Rouhani always urges the cabinet to include all political tastes in administrative fields and make use of directors connected with different parties in state-run organizations.” He noted the Prudence and Hope government will cooperate with all those who have expertise in a particular field and believe in the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists. Jannati added his ministry is totally impartial toward artists and media. Even in the Committee for the Supervision of the Press it is always urged that the Iranian press should be dealt with and looked upon equally, he said. “We will do our best to fulfill the cultural and social criteria set by of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and implement his ideas in this respect.” He called on the media to reflect the news and events honestly and avoid infusing their own views and ideas into the society./end