On World Television Day, Khamenei.ir reviews statements by Ayatollah Khamenei on televison and broadcasting:
Radio and Television should be aimed at creating the ideal human according to Islam and the Revolution. There is no goal loftier and superior than this; other goals are subcategories of this major pursuit. We seek to have an impact on the audience. You cannot find any television station that would produce programs simply to fill people’s time. Of course, there are corporate owned TV stations which run on cables through houses, broadcast movies to attract customers, and charge people for it, and they’re aimed at passing time; however, state TV and Radio stations pursue their own goals through the programs they broadcast. Even if it is to pass time, there is a philosophy behind this passing of time; that is to say, they pursue a goal.
In the Islamic Republic, it is impossible for TV and Radio to pursue no objective. What is the goal of TV and radio in the Islamic Republic? Naturally it is to have an impact on human lives. It is to guide them towards being the ideal man that Islam and the Islamic Revolution’s ideology have sought to create. Can such a goal be overlooked by powerful and influential TV and Radio? The most important and the most influential medium that can fulfill this goal is the Television and Radio.
Of course this ideal man, that we seek to create, is a man who has knowledge, experience, outstanding characteristics, and virtues; he is aspiring, sophisticated and mature. Islam’s ideal human is not the man who merely sits with prayer beads in hand and prayers on his lips; it is an ideal man, in every aspect.
Statements made during a meeting with IRIB staff at history group; January 28, 1992.
Economic independence is important, but first, I would like to speak about cultural independence. In my opinion, cultural independence is the most important kind of independence. Cultural independence lies in choosing an Islamic-Iranian lifestyle. Two, three years ago, I spoke at length about lifestyle. Lifestyle includes architecture, civil life, human environment, social relationships and different other matters. Imitating the west and foreigners on the issue of lifestyle is the exact opposite of cultural independence. Today, global imperialism is working on this matter.
The issue of information engineering and the new means of mass communication that have entered the arena are all tools for dominating the culture of a country. I am not saying that we should throw these tools out of our lives. This is not what I am saying. These are tools that might be beneficial, but the enemy’s domination over these tools should be eliminated. For example, in order to have radio and television, you cannot give your radio and television networks to the enemy. The same is true of the internet, of cyberspace and of information services and tools. These things cannot be in the hands of the enemy. However, today they are in his hands. Today, they are tools and instruments for cultural infiltration. Today, they are the enemy’s tools for cultural domination.
Ayatollah Khamenei’s Speech on 27th Demise Anniversary of Imam Khomeini (r.a.); June 3, 2016.
Television and Radio are not fixed to entertain people; it is set to educate people. Today, the world is prudently and meticulously using television and radio for education in all forms. The Zionists spend tremendous amounts of money—billions of dollars each year—to promote corruption through radio and television channels. In dependent countries, where corrupt colonial dictators are ruling, the television and radio are training people towards ignorance and indifferences, and tuning people in towards lust, carousal and dissipation. If they did not train people on such deviant acts, and people were to instead embrace their local Islamic, or any religion’s—customs, culture, power of faith--colonialists and despots cannot easily rule over them.
If you listen to any program broadcasted by foreign stations, to reach out to their local audience, you cannot catch anything but corruption, ignorance, unawareness and negligence towards life and social affairs. Of course, besides these things, they occasionally teach on some scientific issues, but science is not the main focus. The duty of the media is to educate and analyze; to guide hearts, minds, and souls in the direction that owners of the media seek: it is not different in our country either. The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Broadcasting should be an instrument that guides people towards Islamic culture; and a means of providing people with knowledge; and the acquaintance of human and Islamic glories. It has no other duty. If there are cases where this goal is contradicted, those programs should not be broadcasted. The entire staff—artists, authors, presenters, directors and actors should all work hand-in-hand to apply these valuable and noble Islamic concepts into artistic programs--so that people can be educated on them. By education through the IRIB, we don’t mean merely teaching through lectures, round tables, and sessions. The IRIB should use any form and type of artistic method, through programs on the arts, movies, and other shows, in order to realize and elaborate on Islamic concepts and values; if it is not following this agenda, the IRIB cannot be considered an Islamic broadcasting system.
Statements made during a public address; December 06, 1989.
