Imam Khomeini in a historic meeting with the top members of the Iranian broadcasting services known as IRIB council once said that the mass media should give deep and insightful analysis of the occurring and avoid any type of distortion.
The religious leader made remarks in a historic meeting in the holy city of Qom just a year after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979.
Imam also emphasized on presenting the unifying factors of the society by the media outlets and insisting on preventing form dividing perspectives.
The great imam highlighted significance of media, press, newspaper and magazine in building the culture and awareness.
The great religious and spiritual leader of the world also recommended producing movies, programs, drama serial which could deliver the real message of the Islamic Revolution.
Imam used to consider himself a servant of nation despite being the great leader of the Islamic Revolution and the founder of the Islamic Republic.
The great founder of the Islamic Republic maintained that the media should display the aspiration of the public
Imam Khomeini once also criticized a constant media focus on his daily life and affairs in some radio and television programs, saying that e the media are expected to bring people into focus and care for their role.
One of Imam's historic messages with regard to media role comes as following:
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
IRIB should care for people's role
I have no idea about others, but I personally do not like the situation in radio and television. The fact of the matter is that the extent radio and television is indebted to the barefooted people is not to us. This is a fact and not formality. The fact is that they were the ones who erected this establishment and launched this revolution. It is this very people who gained these victories. The higher class has no right in this matter. Of course, we have had a hand in the core of the development, yet they are in the right. It is quite a while that when I turn on the radio and television, there is talk of me. I do not like this situation. We should value the people, grant them independence and stand aside and see to the good and bad of the activities. We were not to take all things such as radio and television in our hand, but those poor people who work have nothing in their hands, but we who have no capacity have everything in our hands. This is not correct in my opinion. I have said the things related to me not to be aired. I have nothing to say about the other gentlemen. Of course, in some cases that are necessary to be aired with my discretion, I do not withhold to be screened in television or aired in radio. For example, Fitr Feast (the feast of fast-breaking), Qurban Feast and authorization ceremony for president are issues that can be screened. But the rest such as my today's visit with you and talking to you is not something to be covered by radio and television. Repetition of such events in radio and television tires the people without having any substance. You and I talk. So do others. That is, others talk to me and I cut them. So are the things that now exist in television. For instance, my picture appears in the news logo. Take it. If anyone objected, tell him so and so person has said.
[Mr. Muhammad Hashemi, managing director of IRIB, said: You are in the heart of people. In reply, the Imam said]:
People's hearts are different from these things. This is not the case. Formerly, we had contact with people and I had devotion towards them and people were kind to me. But we did not have radio and television. That is a different story. Anyhow, there is no objection in cases that are necessary. Foregoing this, I do not like. Others have their own opinion.