Key facts
- Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf described journalists as 'frontline commanders in the media battle against the enemy'.
- President Masoud Pezeshkian praised reporters as 'frontline commanders in defending truth' on National Journalist Day.
- Officials emphasized the media's role in distinguishing truth from falsehood and countering deception.
- The government acknowledged journalists' contributions during recent conflicts, including documenting events and amplifying national messages.
- President Pezeshkian called for greater protection of journalists' dignity, security, and livelihood.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have both lauded journalists as essential figures in the country's narrative and defense strategies. On National Journalist Day, observed annually on August 8, both leaders referred to reporters as 'frontline commanders' in the battle for truth and against misinformation.
Ghalibaf stated that journalists are commanders who stand firm against the 'organised onslaughts of the enemies using the tools of the pen, the image, and the narrative,' emphasizing their role in helping nations distinguish truth from falsehood. He asserted that these journalists would prevent the enemy from creating 'imagined victories in the minds of the public'.
President Pezeshkian echoed these sentiments, highlighting the media's critical function in defending truth, especially amid conflict and a 'war of narratives.' He praised journalists for their role during Iran's recent 12-day conflict with Israel, noting their efforts in documenting events and amplifying the nation's message globally. Pezeshkian also called for greater recognition of the media's role in building public trust and urged his administration to actively protect journalists' welfare, dignity, and safety.
Other officials, including First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, IRNA CEO Hossein Jaberi-Ansari, and Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Abbas Salehi, also paid tribute to journalists. They underscored the media's importance in countering fake news, fostering national cohesion, and steering national interests through turbulent times. The day commemorates Mahmoud Saremi, a journalist killed in 1998, symbolizing the sacrifices made by Iranian reporters.