"Journalists are guardians of public trust, communications access"

He made the statement in a message on Saturday to commemorate the Journalists’ Day, describing communications and internet as an inseparable part of people’s daily lives, also stressing the significance of news media in countering false news.

The full text of ICT Minister’s message follows:

Dear Media Colleagues,

It is evident to all of us that communications is synonymous with the flow of life. Today, communications networks and the internet are no longer merely tools for entertainment or the transmission of messages. Rather, they have a prominent presence in work, education, healthcare, commerce, banking, public services and even the simplest daily decisions of people. For this reason, widespread, stable, high-quality and equitable access to communications and the internet is not a privilege granted, but a public and undeniable right of the people. A right that must be equally respected for all Iranians, in every part of this land.

From this perspective, our approach at the ICT Ministry goes beyond creating infrastructure and developing the network. More than ever, we see ourselves as close to the people and within the context of their lives. We are aware that with every deficiency and disruption in these lifelines, not merely one service is disrupted, but part of the order of life, livelihood, education and public trust is damaged. Therefore, the quality of communications is equivalent to the quality of life. We regard the speed and stability of the network not merely as a technical indicator, but as a measure of justice, dignity and efficiency.

In this regard, the role of the media and journalists assumes even greater importance. You are not merely reflecting events; you are guardians of the people’s right to access communications and to the normal flow of life. Wherever people’s lives face a disruption, service delivery slows down, or a question arises regarding quality, justice and transparency, it is you who follow it up responsibly. Therefore, this role goes far beyond reporting the news and is a tangible example of safeguarding public rights. As has been the case to date, we too have always welcomed journalists with open arms alongside us in pursuing legitimate national demands.

From this perspective, I believe journalists are not a link between the people and officials, but one of the main pillars in the formation of public trust. Trust is built through honesty in reporting and accuracy in analysis. In the government and the ICT Ministry, if we build infrastructure or advance a program, it is you who, with a professional, fair and precise perspective, give it meaning and clarify its social impact. Without proper reporting, even the best measures will not be seen, while through responsible reporting, even the most difficult paths will become understandable and possible for people to support.

Nevertheless, we are all aware that in our era, cyberspace is both an opportunity and a field of challenge. Alongside the unparalleled capacity of this space to raise awareness, today we are faced with a multitude of false news, incomplete narratives and, at times, deliberate accounts that can create anxiety and despair. In such an environment, professional media and responsible journalists are the shield of people’s awareness and peace of mind. They do not allow the truth to become lost beneath the dust of rumors, and this, in our time, is a national mission.

It is for this reason that the field of ICT has become a national issue. Because communications is intertwined with the heart of the economy, education, culture, health and governance. When we speak of the internet, we are not merely talking about technology; we are speaking of the possibility of a student’s development in the remotest part of the country, a sales opportunity for a small producer in a border city, a patient’s access to healthcare services, and an equal opportunity to be seen and heard.

Therefore, we must move towards a point where the quality of communications is equitably guaranteed for all Iranians in all provinces, cities and villages. The development of communications should not be limited to the capital and center while the peripheries receive only a small share. Communications equity means that no Iranian should be deprived of the right to high-quality access because of geography, income or distance from the center. This approach is both a technical necessity and, beyond that, an ethical and human duty.

That is the reason I regard the status of the media in this process as one of partnership and strategic importance and believe that fair criticism is not an obstacle to service but helps correct the course. Professional advocacy is not a hindrance to development, but an engine of transparency, and honest dialogue between the government and the media can untie knots before they turn into crises.

In conclusion, I sincerely thank all journalists and media professionals who, despite the difficulties, reports with commitment, patience, courage and responsibility. Particularly, I would like to appreciate the efforts of our dear colleagues over the past year, during which our beloved country went through one of the most difficult periods in its history. You do not merely convey the news. You keep hope alive, give direction to genuine demands and rebuild trust in society.

I hope that, in the light of solidarity and dialogue, we will move forward together more than ever to build a smarter, more connected and more equitable future for our beloved Iran. A future in which communications is not a privilege, but a universal right and an opportunity for life, business and a better Iran.

With renewed greetings, I congratulate and extend my best wishes on Journalists’ Day to all the honorable members of the press and news media.

Seyed Sattar Hashemi

Minister of Information and Communications Technology