Top Iranian officials hail journalists’ role in defending truth, national unity

Iranian officials have praised journalists for their role in countering hostile disinformation and psychological warfare, stressing the importance of the media in safeguarding public awareness and national unity.

Iran’s Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, in a message marking National Journalists’ Day on Saturday, said committed journalists had stood alongside the country during the most difficult days of the past year.

“Committed journalists across the country, with courage and a sense of responsibility, safeguarded the boundaries of public awareness and national cohesion and, on the cognitive warfare front, confronted the enemy’s efforts at distortion, blackening and sowing division,” Ejei said.

“At a time when the entire world of infidelity and arrogance has imposed an existential war on our beloved Iran, the magnitude of journalists’ work is understood more than ever,” he added.

Journalists’ Day in Iran is observed on August 8, commemorating journalist Mahmoud Saremi, who was killed in the August 8, 1998, terrorist attack on Iran’s Consulate General in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan.

‘Stronghold for safeguarding the truth’

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, in a message on National Journalists’ Day, described the media as a frontline for defending truth.

“The pen is an extension of the sword of justice, and the media is a stronghold for safeguarding the truth,” Qalibaf said.

“The children of this land will not allow the enemy to build its imagined victories upon public opinion,” he added.

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‘Strategic allies and partners’

Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics said journalists play an important role in strengthening the country’s national power and deterrence amid hybrid warfare and psychological operations by enemies.

“In the conditions of hybrid warfare and the enemy’s psychological operations, truthful reporting, responsible accountability and safeguarding public opinion are part of the national power and deterrence of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the ministry said.

It described journalists as “strategic allies and partners” in shaping the discourse of comprehensive defense and Iran’s defense industrial development.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue to remain powerful, intelligent and prepared on the fronts of defense, narrative and determination,” it said.

‘Shaping public understanding of diplomacy’

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a message marking National Journalists’ Day, praised journalists for their role in shaping public understanding of the complexities of diplomacy.

The foreign minister stressed that this responsibility is particularly important in the field of foreign policy.

“Understanding global developments and Iran’s position correctly requires a careful perspective and a deep understanding of the complexities of diplomacy. Journalists working in this field play a valuable role in shaping this understanding,” Araghchi said.

He said the occasion provides an opportunity to appreciate those who remain committed to the truth amid the constant flow of news, observe events carefully, ask courageous questions and write responsibly.

He also praised Iranian journalists for their work during the recent war, saying they remained alongside the people during difficult days and accurately documented and reported to the world what happened in the country.

Araghchi congratulated all Iranian journalists, particularly those covering foreign policy and diplomacy, wishing them success, health, and continued achievements.

‘A heinous crime’

Iran’s Foreign Ministry commemorated the day, saying, “Twenty-eight years ago on this day, the building of the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Mazar-i-Sharif was attacked by armed terrorists.”

“The terrorist attack on the Iranian Consulate General in Mazar-i-Sharif and the killing of its staff was a heinous crime and a flagrant violation of diplomatic and consular law, which the passage of time cannot diminish,” the ministry said.

The Foreign Ministry honored the memory of the victims and congratulated journalists on National Journalists’ Day, stressing the need to clarify the unresolved aspects of the terrorist attack, including identifying those responsible for carrying it out and those who ordered it.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will pursue justice and make use of every opportunity and avenue available to follow up on this issue,” it said.

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