By Nasser Kasozi Akandwanaho
The cultural chancellor of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kampala Mohammad Reza Ghezelsofla underlined the importance of press freedom in commemoration of the National Journalist Day which is marked every 8th day of the month of August every year.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Brother Mohammad Reza Ghezelsofla said the National Journalists day is a special event for the world to remember the tragedy where Iranian diplomats and journalists were martyred at the consulate of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Mazar-i-sharif, Afghanistan by the terrorist attack in spite of all international laws and treaties protecting journalists and diplomats.
He said, the job of journalists is a significant contribution of informing people which is a noble, prophetic, and patriotic duty which a very important to the development of society through enabling transfer of news, the knowledge that builds and transforms societies, that is what Allah wants the true mankind to do.
“This day was designated National Reporter’s Day in Iran to honor the memory of Iranian reporter, Mahmoud Saremi and other 8 Iranian Diplomats who were assassinated by Taliban militants in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif in 1998.
Ghezelsofla asked the Ugandan journalists, we request the media to always convey messages that address challenges affecting the society’s realities to the people and convey the problems and comments of the society, especially the elites, youths, and women so that they create good societies,”
Ghezelsofla said that On this 8th august day Iranians around the world and at home gather to hold ceremonies to pay tribute in the honor of the martyred journalists.
Comrade Ghezelsofla praised a journalist martyr Saremi and other martyred correspondents, saying journalists are committed to observing truthfulness and honesty in order to do their job and that Ugandan media and journalists can borrow a leaf and always lice by example, show communities the true picture of humanity through constructive and professional reporting.
“Without doubt, the media and journalists played a big and sincere role in the revolution of the Islamic Republic of Iran and mobilized masses to unite for a common cause this has made the Iranian people who they are to date,” He noted.
He said that freedom of expression is a manifestation of a free society Ghezelsofla also said criticism should be offered out of pure motives accompanied by solutions and avoid promoting western propaganda and neocolonialism.
As a matter of fact, in the commutation of the National Journalist Day, Mohammad Reza Ghezelsofla said the Iranian society is in constant need of free, ethical, professional, brave, and independent journalists more than ever.
He also said that, commemorated the anniversary of Saremi’s martyrdom, and is the incident that revived the importance of journalism and media and this initiative should be respected and marked to highlight the importance of journalism and media and also teach others to do good, love their countries by being patriotic while building strong brotherhood.
He Hailed the Ugandan journalists and the media at large for their efforts and services and stressed the necessity of boosting the cooperation between the government of Uganda and journalists.
Saying with the increasing professionalism and technology in the world news and information has moved beyond the initial turmoil created by the rise of media pluralism and attacks by western media on one country.
“We have moved beyond the period of media turmoil and entered the period of media reflection,” Ghezelsofla said and asked journalists to always verify sources before they publish the news.
Ghezelsofla moved ahead to describe journalists as “Prophets and messengers in the way of Allah “Sincere if professional and “tireless fighters of the campaign of light against the darkness and awakening the masses to follow the right path”.
He said the teachings of Islam and the hadith of Allah highlight the importance of Journalism and media in building a peaceful and informed society by exposing and criticizing wrongful acts and inaccuracies, especially criticizing power and power holders to remain relevant and obedient to the people they are serving.
He quoted the prophetic tradition: the ink of the pen is mightier than guns or swords and that the Holy Quran[Surat Hujrat 6] says, “Oh you believers! if a person who is not trusted brings you news, go and search about it before circulation”
Ghezelsofla asked journalists to always open their eyes before informing the public and also expose western crimes not to indoctrinate African youth with bad western behaviors.
he said Seremi played a significant role through his reporting by uniting people before his assassination.
Sheikh Yusuf Zubair said that media play an important role by communicating rightful information to the public to advance economic development, he questioned journalists to always verify the news before publishing it in mass media to avoid negative western propaganda and news that divided people.
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