Media experts at the 24th Iran Media Expo:
Israel, main loser in media battleground
Real battle rages in arena of media: Turkish journalist
By Sadeq Dehqan
Staff writer
Media experts present at the 24th Iran Media Expo in Tehran believe that media channels supporting the resistance axis have played a crucial role in the Gaza conflict by exposing the tragedies unfolding, particularly the killings of women, children, and innocent civilians, thereby revealing the true face of the Zionist military to the world.
The experts argue that despite the Zionists’ attempts to portray themselves as victims and justify their heavy military actions against the defenseless people of Gaza, their objectives were not met due to the efforts of the media backing the resistance axis. This led to widespread awareness among people worldwide about the deceptive tactics employed by the Zionists through their media narratives.
The 24th exhibition of press, news agencies, and information outlets, this year titled Iran Media Expo, has resumed after a six-year hiatus. The event, hosted at Tehran’s Mosalla, includes a segment dedicated to Gaza, featuring 12 pro-resistance media outlets from countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, Tunisia, Iraq, Yemen, Palestine, and Lebanon. Additionally, 15 media activists from these outlets are present to showcase their contributions and activities during the Gaza conflict.
Media change
equation of Gaza war
Based in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian Al-Aqsa TV channel was launched in 2006 and is run by Hamas. Mohammed Hamed, the director of the TV channel, discussed the network’s challenges during the Gaza war. Despite facing intense bombardment, the channel’s news teams in Gaza continue their operations under difficult circumstances, with support from offices in other
countries.
Hamed emphasized the critical role of the media in conveying the realities of the conflict, highlighting the efforts to report on the human losses and tragedies inflicted by the Zionists in Gaza, a stark contrast to the Zionist media’s attempts to conceal these atrocities. Since its establishment, this TV channel has been the target of attacks by the Zionist regime several times, and dozens of its journalists have been killed.
He pointed out that the media’s role in exposing the truth about the war crimes of the Zionists has been instrumental in shifting global perspectives on the Gaza conflict. He noted a change in Western countries’ attitudes towards the war, attributing it to the media’s efforts to reveal the realities on the ground.
Despite facing challenges from well-funded pro-Zionist media outlets, Hamed emphasized the strength of truth and the credibility of pro-resistance media in garnering trust and support from people worldwide.
It is true that we are facing an unequal war on the media front, where the pro-Zionist media have much broader resources at their disposal. However, the one who is in the right is always stronger, and those who lie ultimately end up as losers. In the media front, the truth and righteousness are on our side, he concluded.
People worldwide put
their faith in
pro-resistance media
Ugur Aktas, the production manager at Turkey’s Channel 14, highlighted the significance of Turkey’s On 4, a news and cultural network advocating for the resistance axis. Broadcast on the Turksat satellite across Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and various European nations, the network has a large audience among Turkish speakers worldwide.
Discussing the Gaza conflict, Aktas emphasized the media’s pivotal role in shaping narratives, adding that alongside the military confrontation, a fierce media battle also rages on.
The Western media empire has adopted a confrontational approach not only towards Gaza but also towards Lebanon, Afghanistan, and other Islamic countries, publishing news in line with its own interests. This underscores the Islamic media’s responsibility to deliver accurate information to Muslims and truth-seekers globally. Many individuals worldwide place their trust in resistance-based media outlets, underscoring the importance of disseminating war news via our channels.
Aktas proposed collaboration among Islamic media entities to counter the extensive Western media presence. By leveraging each other’s resources, the Islamic media can expand their reach and impact. This cooperative approach enables media outlets to access studios and equipment in different regions, facilitating the advancement of their collective media goals.
Zionists’ fabricated
narratives in Gaza war
Khador Reslan, the director of Communications and Public Relations at Lebanon’s Radio Al-Nour, said the radio station is the voice of the resistance axis worldwide. He highlighted Radio Al-Nour’s roots in the resistance movement’s inception in Lebanon back in 1988.
Regarding the media’s role in the Gaza war, Reslan said media play a pivotal function in uncovering and conveying the truth. He underscored the significant impact of the resistance media in countering the false narratives perpetuated by the Zionist media, shaping global public
opinion.
Acknowledging the influence of social and digital platforms, Reslan noted their role in enabling widespread dissemination of war-related images and information. This becomes crucial, especially when the official media of the resistance movement faces direct attacks from the Zionist adversary.
He said the pro-resistance media outlets have not overlooked their presence on social networks, and now we also disseminate our news and information through virtual media such as X (formerly Twitter), among others. In fact, we have established connections between official and unofficial media, as well as traditional and modern media.
Real battle rages in
arena of media
Sakine Gungor, the representative of Quds News Network in Turkey, told Iran Daily: the network, true to its name, stands in solidarity with Palestine. It broadcasts daily updates on the resistance movement to the people of Turkey and
beyond.
Highlighting the media’s pivotal role in the conflict, Gungor noted the initial dominance of Western and Zionist media during the Gaza war. However, over time, the media aligned with the resistance movement turned the tide, amplifying the voice of justice and truth to a global audience.
Gungor said in today’s world, media serves as a potent weapon and, indeed, the real battle unfolds in the media arena.
While acknowledging the sacrifices made by the resistance forces and Hamas in Gaza, she underscored the crucial role of media efforts in preventing further tragedies and exposing Zionist atrocities to the world.
“Our efforts in this conflict have yielded results, as widespread dissemination of images and reports on Zionist war crimes has sparked protests worldwide, even in Western and European nations,” she said. This has compelled Westerners to confront the harsh realities in Gaza. The true nature of the Zionists has been unveiled, necessitating persistent utilization of all available media platforms to uphold this cause, Gungor concluded.