24th Iran Media Expo kicks offs
Minister: Press event unexpectedly received
Media’s significance, no less than battleground: Hamas official
The 24th Iran Media Expo officially began on Sunday in the Iranian capital, Tehran, with the presence of Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad-Mehdi Esmaeili and media people.
The event marked the end of a six-year hiatus in holding the expo, as emphasized by the minister.
Esmaeili expressed his satisfaction with the reopening of this cultural and artistic event, stating, “I am pleased that another delayed matter in the field of arts and culture, which had experienced a six-year hiatus, is now reopening with the presence of media professionals.”
The minister said a total of 450 media outlets were participating in the expo.
Esmaeili extended his gratitude to all attendees and apologized for the logistical challenges faced due to the unexpected high welcome by the visitors.
He attributed the logistical issues to the overwhelming response from participants, stating, “This challenge is due to an unexpected and extraordinary reception that has taken place, and it is a source of pride and honor for us. I thank you all.”
Esmaeili expressed hope for collaboration among journalists, photographers, and media managers to properly record the greatness and achievements of the Iranian people, projecting a bright and shining future for the country.
Following the opening ceremony, Esmaeili visited the Gaza booth and added that he will return on the following days to have a comprehensive tour.
In addition to local media, a dozen resistance media outlets from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Türkiye, Tunisia, Iraq, Yemen, Palestine, and Lebanon have participated in the 24th Iran Media Expo.
In addition, foreign media outlets affiliated with the Resistance Front are actively participating, contributing to the dissemination of news related to regional resistance efforts, particularly the recent October 7 Operation Al-Aqsa Storm carried out by Palestinian resistance groups. The expo is expected to be a hub for sharing ideas and promoting collaboration in the field of media.
A senior Hamas official movement emphasized the significance of media activity in their fight against the Zionist regime, noting that its importance is no less than the battle on the ground.
Osama Hamdan stated, “I recall the memory of the media martyrs in Palestine, their number exceeding 120 since the beginning of the Zionist regime’s invasion.”
The senior Hamas official added, “There is no doubt that the media has played a crucial role from the past to the present. Media activity is part of our struggle against the Zionist regime, and its importance is not less than the battle in the field. That’s why the enemy targets journalists.”
The four-day event (February 18 to 22) provides a platform for journalists and media outlets to exchange views on the latest developments, showcasing their achievements across various mediums, including news agencies, newspapers, websites, and magazines.
Next to Iranian news agencies, Al-Manar and Al-Mayadeen are also among the international news agencies present at the 24th Iran Media Expo.
IRNA has dedicated a pavilion to the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) during this event. As the rotating president, Iran’s official news agency aims to facilitate information exchange among regional countries with the support of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Within the OANA, IRNA, Fars, and Mehr serve as the three news agencies representing Iran. IRNA was one of the first members of the organization and previously presided over it from 1997 to 2000. Additionally, the Iranian news agency held the position of vice chairman within the regional organization in 2016 and currently serves as a member of the executive committee of OANA.