According to the Public Relations and International Affairs of the Kish Free Zone Organization, the Journalist Day commemoration ceremony was held on Thursday, 15 Mordad, with the presence of media representatives, the CEO and deputies of the Kish Free Zone Organization and CEOs of subsidiary companies at the Kish International Convention Center.
In this ceremony Mohammad Kabiri, congratulating Journalist Day, described journalists as “the vigilant eyes of society” and the media as “the bridge of communication between the people and the government” and said: at a time when the country is facing the toughest days of recent decades, we need solidarity, honesty, dialogue and avoidance of political bargaining more than ever.
Referring to the role of local and independent media in conveying the people’s demands, he said: media not only play a role in accurately reflecting the problems and demands of society, but can also help correct affairs and strengthen public trust through constructive criticism. If we do not speak of the people’s pain, it is a mistake; but what is important is that criticism be precise, fair and corrective.
The CEO of the Kish Free Zone Organization considered accepting differences of opinion within the framework of national interests as the key to growth and prosperity and added: the honesty of officials alongside the trust and cooperation of the people is the most important asset for overcoming difficult economic conditions and the country’s recent developments. Unity, rationality and honesty are the keys to overcoming crises and solving the problems of the country and Kish is not possible without comprehensive participation.
The “Consensus” Government; an Approach Based on Honesty and Realism
In a significant part of his remarks, Kabiri, praising the character and approach of the President, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, called him a great asset for the country and emphasized: the fourteenth government does not intend to sell an illusory future to the people. The government’s approach is honesty with the people and acceptance of existing realities.
Referring to the difficult economic conditions caused by the wartime and sanctions era, he stressed the necessity of “consensus” to heal the country’s economic wounds and added: as the President always emphasizes, officials should not have an attitude of superiority toward the people. The way out of the crises is the participation of everyone and the synergy of all the country’s capacities; because solving the country’s major problems will not be possible without the accompaniment and participation of the people.
The CEO of the Kish Free Zone Organization continued: in a consensus government, anyone with any taste and ideological orientation, provided they are concerned about Iran, can play a role in the path of the country’s growth and prosperity. Differences of opinion are not a threat but an opportunity to enrich decisions.
Protecting Kish’s Brand with Honest Information
Kabiri, emphasizing the importance of the media’s role in preserving the island’s credibility, said: independent media are a strategic asset for advancing development goals and protecting Kish’s brand. Kish cannot follow a path of sustainable development without informed, responsible and professional media.
He added: Kish’s journalists play an important role in balancing the reflection of the people’s demands and protecting the island’s brand. Media criticism, if done with fairness and within the framework of public interests, is not a threat but a valuable opportunity to improve managers’ performance and reform processes.
The CEO of the Kish Free Zone Organization, referring to the paradigm shift in information dissemination in the age of social networks, emphasized the importance of the official media’s authority in discerning true news and guiding public opinion and said: professional media must, through honest, accurate and responsible information, while realistically reflecting issues, also safeguard the island’s credibility and identity.
Planning for the Sustainability of Support Packages for Kish Journalists
In another part of his remarks, Kabiri announced the transformation of temporary supports for journalists into sustainable mechanisms and said: the issue of supplementary insurance for journalists is being pursued with the aim of creating a systematic approach so that supports are not limited to discretionary and temporary decisions.
He added: journalists will be included in the list of beneficiaries of “service housing” by officially introducing the Press House and efforts are being made for their housing deposit to be fully operational by the end of this year.
The CEO of the Kish Free Zone Organization also announced the allocation and equipping of a “media center” or a shared workspace dedicated to the media and said: this space, supported by the Organization, can become a center for professional interaction, synergy and media content production. The Kish Free Zone Organization is fully prepared to create better platforms for media activity and to cooperate with IRIB, journalists and activists in cyberspace.
Support for the Formation of an Inclusive Dialogue Council
The CEO of the Kish Free Zone Organization, emphasizing the need to strengthen social participation, said: the Organization supports the formation of an “inclusive and elective Dialogue Council” so that true representation of all strata of Kish society in decision-making is realized.
He also emphasized the importance of national branding of Kish and, while appreciating the cooperation of IRIB, said: increasing the production of television programs to introduce the island’s attractions and attract tourists can help strengthen Kish’s position as one of the country’s most important tourism and economic destinations.
Kabiri concluded by thanking the efforts of the island’s journalists and media activists and noted: we hope that with the continuation of dialogue between the Organization’s management, media professionals and economic activists, Kish can pass this difficult period with dignity and cohesion and maintain its position.
At the end of the ceremony, the efforts of media activists and also Sadeq Jafari, former Public Relations Director of Kish Investment and Development Company, were honored in recognition of his effective services during his tenure.