"IRNA to interact with all legal political factions - IRNA new Chief"

This is a fascinating glimpse into IRNA's role as purveyor of propaganda. What do the references to "freedom of expression" mean? That Fayyazi is hoping for a tiny amount of independence? Merely that his superiors want him to pretend that he has freedom? We will probably never know.

IRNA new Managing Director Seyyed Jalal Fayyazi said here on Wednesday that IRNA would interact fruitfully and constructively with all legal political factions, particularly those who believe in Islamic principles, the way the Supreme Leader interprets them.

Speaking to an IRNA Political Desk reporter, Fayyazi added, "Keeping in mind that paving the path for freedom of expression and establishment of its foundations, freedom of thoughts, and free flow of information are the top priorities in my work plan, I would try to build an interaction between IRNA and the insider critics of the system, particularly with those who criticize rationally and based on facts, in order to materialize the eight objectives of the leader." Fayyazi added, "I seek the assistance of the country's three branches of power and ask them to cooperate with IRNA, as the mother media in the country, and the official information dissemination center of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

IRNA Managing Director focussing on professional approach that need to be pursued at IRNA, said, "IRNA must function based on precision in news dissemination, authenticity of the dispatches, rapid reflection of the events, and high quality work."

Fayyazi added in his first interview after accepting his new responsibility, "I look at IRNA as an international media that has presence at the entire world scene and can play an effective role in disturbing the prevailing one-sided flow of information and news at world media field."

On IRNA personnel, he said, "They are the main, and invaluable assets of this news agency and my most important mission is to take good care of this valuable staff here."

IRNA new Managing Director said, "Human resources are the main axis of sustainable development and therefore I would pay special attention to preserving the human prestige of my colleagues, improvement of the quality of their work, and solving their problems constantly."

Fayyazi said, "Although I do not have close acquaintance with many IRNA reporters, but as a person with twenty years of experience at media field, I am more or less familiar with the selfless efforts of the reporters, and I would try to safeguard this human resource effectively."

He also sincerely appreciated the efforts made by outgoing IRNA Managing Directors, Ahmad Khademolmelleh during his year-long chairmanship of the country's official news agency, as well as the work done by his deputies, managers, chief editors, and particularly IRNA reporters, whom he said are the "real capital of IRNA." Born in one of the villages in vicinity of Tabas, in now South Khorassan Province, in the year 1958, Seyyed Jalal Fayyazi is one of the founders of Qods daily, and was that newspaper's Managing Director and Chief Editor for sixteen years.

Fayyazi is also among the founders of the country's Islamic Journalists Association and Khorassan Province Media Home.

Tags: Iran, IRNA, Journalism, totalitarianism