TEHRAN – The Iran-Russian Joint Media Cooperation Working Group was held in Moscow on Tuesday evening, with the Deputy Minister of Media and Advertising in the Ministry of Iran and Islamic Ministry and the Deputy Minister of Communications and Mass Media from Russia.
The meeting began with opening remarks by Mohamadreza Noruzpur and Bella Charkeseva, heads of Iran and Russian delegations. The discussion was summarised as the existence of Russia’s Iranian ambassador, Kazem Jalali, reported Honaronlein.
In his opening speech, Norrows detailed the abilities and capabilities of Iranian media. He emphasized that one of the major missions of Iranian and Russian media is to enhance mutual understanding between the two countries.
Officials said that Iranians’ understanding of Russia over the past two centuries has been shaped through the works of great Russian writers and poets, and that Iranians know Russia older than modern Russia.
“Information about modern Russia comes primarily through Western media sources, due to the lack of strong ties between the media in both countries,” he added.
The Deputy Minister highlighted the role of the media in strengthening mutual understanding between Iran and Russian people, and identified another area of cooperation that will combat fake news.
“The media will help strengthen the capabilities of joint cooperation between Iran and Russia and encourage citizens to travel and explore the cultural, artistic, scientific and tourism possibilities of other countries,” Nordspool emphasized.
He further suggested that Iranian and Russian artists would exploit the cultural, political, economic and tourism capabilities of both countries to create joint documentaries, films and television series.
Enhanced cooperation in the areas of publication of books for media professionals, video games and training courses was one of his other suggestions.
On her part, Bella Charkeseva mentioned the signing of a comprehensive strategic treaty between Iran and the Russian President during his visit to Masuud Pezeshkian, who visited Moscow on January 17, saying, “We will strongly strengthen strengthening media cooperation with Iran within the framework of this treaty, and the joint media committees of both countries can take a practical stage.”
She called for strengthening relations between Russian and Iranian mass media, particularly the print media. This points out that the role of the media in deepening public understanding and ensuring the implementation of the Moscow and the Telan agreement is extremely important.
The Deputy Minister also expressed his interest in expanding the media presence in Iran from several Russian media organizations, including Rossia Segodnya, RT, and others, to open representative offices and expanding broadcasting programs in Russian and Arabic.
Russia’s Iranian ambassador, Kazem Jalali, also spoke at the meeting to explain the strengthening of media cooperation between the two countries as a basis for thriving bilateral relations.
Jalali mentioned the decisions of both countries’ leaders to strengthen relations on both sides and promote them to strategic levels by signing a comprehensive strategic treaty. He highlighted the importance of intellectual support and the role of the media in realizing the possibilities for cooperation.
Many media managers from Iran and Russia also participated in the meeting, presenting and proposing the capabilities and achievements for information dissemination and expanding cooperation in the media software and hardware domains.
At another meeting in Moscow, Norouzpur and Jalali met with Maria Zakharava, director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Both sides highlighted the strong resolve of Tehran and Moscow, strengthened the exchange of experience, held training workshops, and focused on media literacy and joint efforts to combat fake news to enhance media cooperation in line with the comprehensive strategic treaty.
During the meeting, Jalali noted positive trends in developing media cooperation and announced the promotion of travel conditions and activities for Russian journalists in Iran. He emphasized the importance of strengthening media relations as one of the foundations of bilateral relations.
Nordspur highlighted the strategic importance of relations with Russia in Iran’s Islamic Republic’s foreign policy, while reviewing the goals and programmes of Iran’s media delegation.
“If both countries are trying to maintain and expand bilateral interaction, their media relations must grow at the same level as political relations and reach a strategic stage,” he noted.
He also announced that Iran is ready to expand the interaction of bilateral media, host joint workshops and educational seminars, and promote the presence of Russian journalists in Iran.
Maria Zakharova expressed her delight in the presence of a high-ranking Iranian media delegation in Moscow and with her active participation in joint media and specialist conferences.
“The Russian Federation is seriously and strategically looking at the development of media cooperation with Iran and welcomes joint efforts to tackle new threats such as dialogue with the media, knowledge exchange and professional experience, and fake news,” she added.
Zakharova also invited Iranian journalists and media managers to have a greater presence in Russia, particularly to attend an international conference hosted by Russia on the fight against fake news. She emphasized the importance of continuing targeted consultations and intentional interactions in this regard.
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