Tehran: The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) and the Iranology Foundation have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance media cooperation and strengthen collaboration in promoting the socio-cultural dimensions of Iranian studies. The MoU was signed as IRNA's CEO Hossein Jaberi-Ansari, at the head of a delegation, paid a visit to the Iranology Foundation and held talks with its president, Ali Akbar Salehi.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, during the meeting, the two officials exchanged views on the media's capacities for introducing Iran's civilizational identity and heritage, as well as the role of cultural institutions in promoting public awareness. They also discussed ways of strengthening media interactions and expanding joint cooperation in the field of scientific and cultural representation of Iran studies.
Emphasizing the need for paying attention to cultural and social dimensions in policymaking, Jaberi-Ansari underlined that a precise understanding of current social issues is a prerequisite for making correct decisions. He argued that effective measures are not possible without having the sound knowledge, urging policymakers to engage in dialogue with society and listen to the people's voices for managing the country efficiently and smartly.
Referring to the role of media in society, IRNA's CEO stated that balanced media must move beyond transmitting news, by producing analytical content, creative visualization, and indirect and intelligent presentation of sensitive issues because only the media that creates trust and depth is successful. At the beginning of the meeting, Salehi, while welcoming Jaberi-Ansari and his accompanying delegation, explained the history, missions, and approaches of the Iranology Foundation and introduced it as one of the reference centers in promoting Iranian history and culture globally.
Salehi also emphasized the role of the media in shaping public opinion, especially among the young generation, insisting that the media today is not simply a means of information, but rather one of the main components of cultural and social governance and can play a decisive role in shaping the mental and identity orientation of society.
Later, the IRNA delegation visited various parts of the Iranology Foundation, including its specialized library, documentation center, research documents, exhibitions of paintings, and historical maps of the Persian Gulf, as well as the postgraduate department, and was closely informed about the scientific, research, and cultural activities of the foundation.