Culture Min. Criticizes West’s Cultural Approach Toward Iran

Babol, Oct 20, IRNA -- Iran's Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini criticized here on Friday the West’s cultural approach towards Iran. He made the remarks in the closing ceremony of the 7th Varesh National Short Film Festival in Babol. The festival had begun on Wednesday. “The decision by the European Union (EU) to discontinue broadcast of programs of 19 Iranian satellite television channels, including Press TV (English-language television channel) on Hotbird is against the international rules and regulations.” The high-ranking official criticized the anti-Iranian theme of “Argo” movie and asked the Iranian movie-makers to confront the West worthless works by making rich valuable artistic products. 'Delusive works of art produced in the West are against the human ideals and values and destructive to the audience and in particular the youth.' EU's decision to ban broadcast of Iranian TV channels on Hotbird satellite provider by Eutelsat SA is against freedom of speech and information, Iranian embassy to Ankara said in a statement released here on Thursday. Iran's embassy to Turkey also condemned the EU's decision and called the action contrary to the West's claims of advocating freedom of speech and freedom of information./end