The Minister of Information and Communication Technology Seyed Sattar Hashemi dismissed the views on National Information Network as a substitution to the Internet, stressing that modern technology cannot be abandoned due to the enemy’s misuse.
“In compliance with the statements of the martyred Supreme Leader
of the Revolution, we must march with strength along the path of development of
new technologies,” he added, "Replacing people's free access to
information and the Internet is not a correct concept. This is statement we would
like express clearly.”
The ICT Minister made the remarks at the ceremony to
commemorate the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on Monday,
in which he also hailed the ICT Ministry’s staff for the country’s stable
communication network during the Israel-US aggression of Iran.
The event was held in Tehran under the theme Iran’s Stable
Communication Arteries: The Epic of National Resilience During the Third
Imposed War and the sub-theme Digital Resilience and Intelligent Response to
Hybrid Crises and Threats.
He referred to the vital role of the ICT sector in people’s
lives.
“The nature of communication services is that it is usually noticed
when a disruption occurs. During the Ramadan War, colleagues in the
communications sector were present in the field with all their might to ensure
that the country’s communication and infrastructure services remain stable.”
Hashemi praised all martyrs of the Israel-US imposed war.
“The martyred leader of the Islamic Revolution had a deep
belief in the development of information and communication technology and
always emphasized the role of communication infrastructure in increasing the
country’s capabilities and conveying the voice of the Iranian people to the
world,” he stated.
The ICT Minister also referred to the attacks against the
country's civilian communication infrastructure during the war.
“In the Ramadan war, more than 500 communication sites were
damaged, but people did not feel a widespread disruption in receiving services.
This was the result of the round-the-clock efforts of experts and the empathy
existing in the communication family."
He appreciated the support of the private sector in
maintaining the stability of the networks.
“Many private sector stakeholders gave up their economic
interests and made their technical facilities and capacities available to the
country, an action that was a valuable manifestation of responsibility and
professional ethics.”
Hashemi said that the National Information Network became a major
factor in the resilience of the country's services under wartime conditions.
"If the country's banking, health, educational and
public services were not stopped during the days of war, it was due to the
development of the infrastructure of the National Information Network and the
expansion of the communication capillary network throughout the country."
Referring to certain misconceptions about the National
Information Network, he said: It is mistaken to say that the National
Information Network is going to replace the Internet or the people’s free
access to information. We are stating this openly.
“Just as the development of domestic roads does not mean the
elimination of international routes,” Hashemi added, “the development of the
National Information Network will not mean the severance of connection with the
Internet.”
“Network independence does not mean the severance of
connection with the world, and the society cannot be deprived of access to
international knowledge, services, and capacities.”
Then, the ICT Minister elaborated on the restrictions imposed
during the emergency.
"Some restrictions were imposed in specific
circumstances and by decision of the competent authorities, but the
continuation of this situation could gradually harm the National Information
Network."
"Creating limited access for some businesses only
compensates for part of the problems during the emergency and does not meet the
widespread needs of the people and economic activists,” he noted.
Hashemi criticized what he called the “guardianship view of
people,” and emphasized: People should not be considered only for coming to the
field. People should also be allowed to make their voices heard by being
present in global cyberspace.
He referred to certain concerns regarding the enemy’s misuse
of new technologies, and said: If artificial intelligence is used in the war,
it should not be an excuse to stop the development of this technology in the
country.
“Just as the martyred Supreme Leader of the Revolution
repeatedly emphasized paying attention to artificial intelligence, the country
must move strongly towards the development of new technologies and have an
active presence in this field.”
He concluded reiterating promotion of the media literacy and
public education in the field of cyberspace.
“The Iranian people have shown their maturity, awareness, and
responsibility at various stages. We must speak to society with an enlightened
and persuasive perspective,” the ICT Minister stated.