TEHRAN – At a ceremony held Friday at Venezuela’s Presidential Palace, President Nicolas Maduro presented a special Journalism Award to a well-known figure at the scene. Among the winners was Sahar Emami, Iranian news anchor for Iranian Islamic Broadcasting (IRIB) news network.
The award also honored the memories of Martialist Nima Rojabul, head of news department, and Masoume Azimi, an Iranian television management staff member.
The ceremony emphasized appreciation for Venezuela’s sacrifice and a strong bond of friendship and solidarity between the two countries. Iran’s Ambassador to Caracas, Ali Chegeni, received these honors on behalf of the recipient.
In a video message sent to the ceremony, Sahar Emami recounted the crimes committed by the Zionist regime, including the massacre of civilians, women and children during the attack on Iran. She expressed her gratitude to the Venezuelan country and government for its unwavering support for Iran, and praised Venezuela as a great nation with heroes like Simon Bolivar.
She noted that the gesture highlights the enduring bond of friendship and solidarity between Iran and Venezuela, particularly in the face of external threats and attacks.
On June 16, during a live broadcast, Iranian journalist Sahar Emami emerged as a symbol of courage and immobility after Israeli missiles targeted Iran’s state television headquarters. The incident occurred while she was providing news reports about Ilin (Islamic Republic of Iran News Network).
As the studio trembles and the chaos unfolds behind the scenes, she temporarily leaves for safety. Shortly afterwards, she returned to her desk position with an incredible calm, continuing to communicate the live show and sending out a clear message. The voice of truth cannot be silent.
In her on-air statement, Emami took on the attack after her conviction and denounced it as “a reckless move by the Israeli government to restrain free expression.” She said, “Even if a physical building is attacked, a voice of truth can survive. We will stick to our work and the national media will continue to air resiliently.” Her remarks quickly attracted praise on social platforms such as X, Instagram and Telegram. There, many praised her courage and called her a “fighter for freedom of the press” and a “symbol of the resilience of the people.”
Since that day, her image has become a common sight throughout Iran. It appears on television screens, social media posts, and public spaces. The widely circulated video denies the attack as a “strike against hometown integrity” just before the explosion explodes behind her, urging her to leave the set quickly while maintaining her composure.
Photo: Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro (left) will present a special award to Ali Chegeni, ambassador on June 27, 2025, on behalf of Sahar Emmami, a journalist from Caracas, Venezuela.
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