"Criticism of Iran's gov’t leads to dynamism"

Iran Mania:

LONDON, July 21 (IranMania) - Iran's Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance said during the tenure of President Mohammad Khatami, the print media criticized the government performance, according to Iran Daily.

Ahmad Masjed-Jamei also told a gathering of journalists at Tehran’s School of Media Studies that this critical attitude has created dynamism in the society, because criticizing the government helps fortify its foundations.

He noted that since May 23, 1997 (when Khatami won the presidential election), 25 % of reports compiled by Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) pertained to criticism of the government.

“In our constitution, freedom is akin to territorial integrity. In the past 150 years, whenever political power has been strengthened, the press corps have been weakened. However, with the emergence of numerous publications in the post-Islamic Revolution era, national strength and security have been enhanced,“ he said.

The culture minister further said if development is considered the main criterion for exercising power, culture and news will be tools and individuals would be the pillar of progress and advancement.

Masjed-Jamei further said that in recent years news agencies have grown significantly.

“This became possible in light of the all-out efforts of thinkers and intellectuals for protecting public identities. We hope to witness further growth in this respect,“ he said.

Meanwhile, managing director of the Iranian Students’ News Agency, Abolfazl Fateh, said ISNA was founded because of the prevalence of an open political and culture atmosphere in the past eight years.

“Factors such as insufficiency of sources of news and information and the widening rift between the rulers and the ruled motivated us to establish ISNA, which was ultimately founded due to the support of President Khatami,“ he said.