Message of Congratulations from the Secretary-General of Iran’s National Commission for UNESCO on August 8, Journalist Day
Dr. Hassan Fartousi, Secretary-General of Iran’s National Commission for UNESCO, congratulated all reporters, journalists, and media professionals on August 8, Journalist Day, emphasizing their role in safeguarding the truth, raising awareness, and fostering dialogue and understanding among societies. He stressed that responsible media can play an influential and lasting role in promoting a culture of peace, coexistence, and mutual respect.
The message from the Secretary-General of Iran’s National Commission for UNESCO reads as follows:
Hafez, speak, and let your words be inscribed upon the page of the world
This image, drawn by your pen, remains as a lasting legacy of your life
Journalist Day offers an opportunity to honor those who, in their pursuit of truth, chronicle the times in which they live. Through raising awareness, asking questions, and documenting events, they play a lasting role in shaping collective memory and recording history.
Journalism is more than a profession dedicated to reporting the news; it is a social and cultural mission rooted in the pursuit of truth, accountability, the protection of freedom of expression, and ensuring public access to information. In a world where geographical boundaries are fading in the face of the rapid flow of information, and emerging technologies and artificial intelligence are transforming the ways content is produced and disseminated, accuracy, professional ethics, independence, and commitment to the truth are more essential than ever.
During the difficult days of the recent imposed war against our beloved Iran, this mission became more evident than ever. Amid anxiety, danger, and restrictions, the country’s journalists and media professionals stood on the front lines of reporting, documenting the realities of war and its impact on people’s lives, as well as stories of resistance, solidarity, and the community’s steadfastness. By capturing the moments and realities of these challenging days, they have preserved a part of Iran’s historical memory for the present and for future generations.
In such circumstances, a journalist does more than report the news; they bear witness to history. Accurately and responsibly documenting human suffering, the harm inflicted on people and cultural and natural heritage, and reporting the truth amid war are not only professional duties but also human responsibilities. Honoring the journalists who worked during the days of war to sustain the flow of information and document the truth is therefore also an act of honoring historical memory and human dignity.
Responsible media and committed journalists do more than report events; they can serve as bridges for dialogue among people, cultures, and societies, advancing mutual understanding, solidarity, and peace. From this perspective, the mission of journalism is deeply connected to UNESCO’s ideals of building peace in the minds of people, fostering dialogue and understanding among nations, and promoting a culture of coexistence and mutual respect.
Iran’s National Commission for UNESCO pays tribute to the sincere and responsible efforts of reporters, journalists, photographers, videographers, and all media professionals, and extends its congratulations on Journalist Day to the country’s dedicated and hard-working media community. The Commission hopes that truth-seeking and enlightening voices will continue steadfastly on the path of illuminating the horizons of knowledge, documenting the truth, fostering dialogue and mutual understanding, and safeguarding peace and human dignity.
I wish all media professionals, especially the journalists who stood steadfastly on the front lines of reporting and documenting the truth during the difficult days of war, continued success, good health, and ever-greater achievements.
Hassan Fartousi
Secretary-General of Iran’s National Commission for UNESCO
