Speech [The print media's mission in the Islamic system; the danger of infiltration by the deviationists and the way of confronting them]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

In a revolution emanating from the people, and the aim of which the people themselves have determined, all the groups desiring to serve the revolution must have the same motive. The revolution whose motivating force was Islam emanated from the people whose aim was Islam. It was because of this that the revolution succeeded. Hence, any group that wants to render service must have the same purpose in mind. It must pursue the issues that were the source of victory of Iran's Muslims. Regrettably, the press is at variance with the motive the people had and have, and the conviction which took them to victory. It is also at variance with the way in which society, with the exception of a few people and groups have been pursuing the matter. I, of course, do not read all the newspapers, magazines, books and all the things that are written, because I do not have the time. But I do glance at them and read whatever is connected to the subject. The press ought to follow the nation's chosen line owing to which it was able to achieve victory. But this is not the case. One can see that some of the press are not in line with the nation.

All of you know that if it was not for this unity and cohesion of the people and this attachment of theirs to Islam, we would not have been able to gain such a victory which is now ours. We neither had any military training nor any weapons worth mentioning. We had nothing at all. But what upset all the calculations was the attention of the people all over the country to one thing. The people, including the children and the old, had focused their attention on that one thing which was the abolishment of the Shah's regime and the establishment of Islam and the Islamic Republic. At that time, there were no differences at all over the matter. Those who differed at a later stage but had the same motive in those days would not say anything against the (popular) current that then existed. Quite likely there were many who wanted to infiltrate into crowds to take advantage later on. It is so now as you can see. Many of the people and groups were not involved in this movement and uprising carried out by the nation. Some of the groups had nothing to do with it at all. But then they stepped in to see how the situation developed! Would the ex-regime prevail for them to align themselves with it, or would the one following gain the upper hand for them to join up with it? This is what opportunism means: some people sitting on the fence to see what happens ultimately, and then getting themselves into the successful group. But on realizing that it was not a matter of one doing what one liked, and on confronting these throngs of people whose attention was fixed on Islam, they are now doing mischief.

The newspapers ought to render the service assigned to them and which is really important to our country. By doing so, they will have served Islam and their own country. They must pursue this line. That is, they must pay attention to and go after whatever issue they bring up. Other issues that are not connected to these matters, or issues that are against these unconnected ones, could be mentioned and written provided that are harmless. But those that are detrimental to national unity and to the cause for which the nation rose- that is, detrimental to Islam- should be avoided by the press. The editors- in-chief of the newspapers should be wary lest some (undesirable) persons sneak in (among them). You can see that the persons who have deviated (from the nation's path) are now active and are ready to interfere in some way in anything that happens anywhere. It is likely that one of them holds a rosary in his hand and sports a beard. He may even say his prayers in your presence, and do such things. You have to check his antecedents. You have to see what he is, and what work he wants to do; what kind of job he wants; when he wants to join your magazine, for instance. To select persons is a matter of great importance for the media, particularly the radio and television as many persons are employed in them, and in the newspapers, etc. They want to enter the organization without anybody being aware of it, without attracting the attention of the right- thinking people, and mislead the others.

We now see that there are certain perverted issues all over the country. Such deviant issues cannot arise from the people who are straightforward themselves. So it is clear that certain deviationists have got in among them; for example, in the committees, the courts, the volunteer forces and other organs such as radio and television, and the press. There are many decent people in these organs. But because they are sometimes naive in their thinking, they may employ somebody whom they do not properly know, or of whose background they are not aware. They may be misled by appearances and employ such a person in the courts, the committees or the newspapers which are important. And the time will come when you notice that he is making the organization deviate from the nation's chosen path, the path of unity and Islam, these two causes that were at the top of all matters. You will at one time see some newspapers inclining to the left and others to the right, thus deviating from the straight path, The Islamic path which the nation follows. This is one of the important duties of those who wish to render a service by publishing a magazine or writing (articles) in the newspapers. The first question concerns the selection of (proper) people. If you have any persons (in the set-up) who can bring about deviation without your noticing it, you will see one day that deviation has taken place. Moreover, there are people who can drag you into the American or Soviet Union camp. This nation has struggled a lot and has lost many of its youth. It has taken great trouble in ridding itself of foreign domination. You will see that a time will come when those who are against the nation's path appear on the scene and pervert the magazines, the newspapers, radio and television, speeches and everything that exist at present, with you awakening to the fact afterwards. This is one of the important issues that necessitates your attention. Ignoring it is not permissible. Concerning your magazine and your coming here now to speak to me, I hope that the matter will be uppermost in your mind. The topics that are to be printed ought to be read carefully by a few persons whom you know for sure to be upright, and who follow the nation's and the country's path, without having links to any place. The topics can be printed in the magazine or newspaper after they have read them. It should not so happen that the material is written and printed and, later, they come to realize that it was against the country's interests. This matter is something that is essential. This is like a book being written, and before being published, it is scrutinized by those who are well-versed in the mischief the satans do. Care must be taken to see that the book whose beginning, for example, is very good, the middle part of it is also good, but somewhere else it contains things that were not what we had imagined them to be. Proper attention should be paid to the books that are written and the writings that are published. Wise and well-informed people and those who are conversant with the creeds and their guidelines should give their consideration to the matter. They must read the books, and also the magazine before they are published lest some discrepancy appear somewhere. In such a case, they must stop you and tell you that there are some deviation in the (concerned) magazine, for instance, and that expunging the discrepant parts are to their and the nation's good.

Hence, this is one of the important issues. It is of the highest importance that the people who manage a certain place be appraised at the very outset to find out their previous occupations and background, and also the place and manner of their education, their situation before and after the revolution as well as the opinions they held previously. If one who held divergent views before comes to you and claims that he has changed, you ought to accept what he says. We, however, should not assign him to write for the magazine. They are two different issues. Well, the repentance of many people who come and say that they have repented is acceptable. They, however, cannot be entrusted with an important job as, we do not know- judging by the instances we do know of- whether the one who has repented has actually done so or is merely trying to deceive us by saying that he has. We have to accept him and treat him like all the other Muslims in a Muslim community. However, the (affairs of) radio and television should not be entrusted to him. Neither should he be employed in the radio and television organization or allowed to work or write for a magazine which is there for the purpose of training people and propagating this Islamic path. We should not let ourselves be gullible. There are many people who only talk about Islam and quote widely from the Nahj al-Balaghah and (verses of) the Quran. But this is not their path. Among them there are people who follow the path so as to find a niche for themselves is the community and thereby implement their agenda among the people. While we have to accept one who, for instance, had been recalcitrant previously but is now a (correct) Muslim and must be treated accordingly, we, nonetheless, cannot entrust our vital matters to him. For example, if a thief comes and repents, well, it is acceptable; he was one a thief but has repented. But can you hand over your taxes to him or your wealth and assets, and then ask him about them? No, it is not wise, because it is possible that the thief has repented in order to get hold of some possessions! We are not endowed with prescience, but it is our duty to accept him outwardly. He is not a thief (now); he has repented. We can even pray behind one who has repented to all intents and purposes. But we cannot give him something that demands trust and virtue on his part. The most sensitive of all are these newspapers, magazines, radio and television, which are the means for the training of society. Suppose that somebody who had been perverted before or a communist says that he has now returned to the fold and that the words of those that had perverted his views were not right. Very good, he has returned (to the path), and so be it. But we cannot have him working in radio and television, and tell him to train the people! It is quite likely that he may still be a communist and that he is pretending in order to deceive us. But we are enjoined to treat him outwardly as a Muslim. It is a different matter in case he has not become a communist by conviction. But we cannot let our children be trained by one who was a communist, and who has now come to us saying that he is very much a Muslim, who prays with us and fasts as well, and is bound to Islamic rites more than you or the others. Very well; he is a Muslim. He can remain among the people. Nobody will object. But we cannot let him educate our children because we have to be sure that the one who teaches our children will not lead them astray. We cannot afford to be naive in that Islam instructs us to accept (his claim) and we duly comply. But Islam has not told us to leave our destiny in his hands because we have accepted him. Islam does not say this. Islam tells us to accept him as a Muslim and treat him accordingly. But can we leave the fate of our country in the hands of one who was a communist? He says that he is a good person and we, for our part, believe him. But we cannot allow our country's destiny to lie in his hands. We cannot let him write whatever he likes in case he wants to write for a magazine. Otherwise, we will see what it would lead to. You, too, who publish a magazine and want to select some people, should not employ people of questionable backgrounds on the grounds that they have changed for the better and have become good Muslims and such things. It is very good for him, and we do not say otherwise. He has repented which is a good thing. But we cannot commit such a task which has to do with the training and destiny of the nation to them. This is not to say that we should not employ those who have come here and say that they have become good people. But wherever the nation's destiny is concerned, it is being naive to think of such a thing. It shows a lack of attention to such matters. In any case; I hope that your books and magazines will turn out to be good. I also hope that these issues will receive your due attention and that of the people since the past, and also those who will join you later. If the matter concerns `Arabic, the persons should be committed `Arabs first. Secondly, it should be checked as to what they have been. It is likely that a person could be very good and dedicated but has some fault. A mistake for one who commits it is nothing. But it could be harmful to the nation. Suppose that the army or the commander himself makes a mistake. They will not be punished because it is a mistake. People constantly commit mistakes. But a single mistake can be enough to ruin a nation. There could be a mistake in a magazine as well. It would not matter to him who has committed it as it is a mistake after all. But the others must take note of it and eliminate it, and then have the magazine published. The job in the press, radio and television is important because the public reads, watches and listens to them. We cannot say that well, we have made a mistake now but will not make one tomorrow. Today I got a note concerning a mistake committed by a newspaper. I am not saying that it was intentionally done. It is possible it could be deliberate. Anyway it is a mistake that has been harmful to the country. And now the ones who are at the helm of affairs have objected to it. In any case great attention should be paid to this matter. We should pay no heed to all this clamor that is going on and is undermining the movement. One of the necessary things for the newspapers is to devote a few pages, for instance, to the achievements so far of the Islamic Republic.

You are aware that the people who want to harm the Islamic Republic are spreading rumors that it has not accomplished anything as yet, and that it is just like the monarchial regime, there being no difference between them! Even some committed Muslim writers- those that are upright and educated- have written in detail that the conditions and situation in the Islamic Republic are the same as before. They do not take into account the things that have been hitherto accomplished. The minister of education had come here a few days ago. He was telling me that a great number of schools have been constructed in these past two years. The number ranges to one-third of the schools built ever since the beginning. But they do not mention this one-third of the schools built over two years. They who bear malice do not mention these things which they ought to. They dwell upon defects and shortcomings. According to what is said, Jesus Christ (s) was going (somewhere) together with his companions. They came across a dead donkey lying on the ground, and giving off a foul smell. His companions were talking about the stench whereupon Hadrat (Christ) said that the dead donkey had such white teeth. «1» This is a lesson to us. One should not overlook the many blessings that the Islamic Republic has brought for us. It has shut down all the centers of debauchery and all the shops that were selling alcoholic drinks because it was against Islam. It has done so much for the oppressed. It has developed so much land and paved so many roads. It has built so many schools, and also houses for the people. It has done so much. All this is ignored. They have nothing to do with them. But in such-and-such court, if somebody errs, he must be caught and a hue and cry rose! This is perversion. It is clear that the pen of the one, whoever he be, who has written this, has deviated. Perhaps, he himself does not realize the fact; he does not understand. But it is not possible to set right a society which was in a ruined, corrupt state and has now passed two years of its (post-revolution) existence. This child of two is not like a man of forty who has accomplished all his work. It cannot be so. We must not assail the Islamic Republic because of some crookedness, for instance, occurring somewhere, or because somebody, once a decent person but now not fit for the task, has been sidelined. This should not spur us to pick up our pens and write books or write such things in magazines, or throw in the Islamic Republic's face all the evil that is happening in one or two corners of the country and say that such is the Islamic Republic. Suppose that a deputy, among the three hundred or two hundred and fifty deputies, commits an offense. Should we say that all the deputies are bad, and that the Islamic consultative assembly is bad? Or should we say that so-and-so deputy is bad. If say five or ten people committed a wrongdoing in these courts that exist throughout the country, should we call them wrongdoers or condemn all the courts? These are the mistakes they make or the grudges they bear. Some make mistakes; some say things because of the grudges they have.

Among the duties of radio and television, the magazines and all the other media is to inform the people of the events that have occurred. In the early stage, when Mr. Bazargan was prime minister, I told the officials to announce to the people by means of the radio and television the things you do. Do not let the others say that you did not do this, that or anything at all. Of course, the undone things are abound. The country had been lead astray for over fifty years. It had been so since the beginning. But they were deliberately leading it astray during these (past) fifty years, making us dependent on all sides and destroying everything of ours. They ruined our universities and what not. They do not consider that within a span of two years the amount that has been achieved is a miracle. They do not take into consideration that the position is now such that the one who has picked up a pen and is writing about everything, is now free to do so. One is free to criticize all the (government) organs. Could one have written a single word against these organs three years ago? They would have smashed your pen and given you hell! You do not appreciate this freedom. But freedom, however, has now become a toy for some people. They write whatever they like and say whatever they like. In any case, it is our Islamic and human duty to inform the people about everything that have taken place in this Republic. We are also to be criticized for being negligent. This must also be written. I am not saying that there should be no criticism (in Medea). Criticism should be made, but it should not be done out of malice. There are pens that, for instance, turn insignificant issues into big ones by magnifying them manyfold. Under big headlines, they write whatever they like. Sometimes the headings are incongruous with the topic. They get the headlines from somewhere and here write something else under it. This is spitefulness. There are writers who want to reform society. They write what is good about it and also its shortcomings. But these writers should present their views as advice. They should not offer malicious criticism nor undermine the matter. A topic can be presented in two ways: either like a decent teacher who advises children in a gentle manner in order to correct them, or like one who hurts and mistreats the children. These are the two cases, two kinds of writers and two ways of talking and writing.

You should bear in mind that if criticism is to be offered, then not only you, but all the writers and orators should offer it in a gentle and sympathetic manner. The purpose of the criticism should not be to harm or to strike the Islamic Republic a blow. These people are not aware that if the Islamic Republic collapses because of their writings, they will be held responsible by God the Blessed and Exalted, the people and all the nations. The Islamic Republic is being praised by all nations, while we are sitting here, pen in hand, writing about some minor shortcoming discovered some where. Supposing someone has done something wrong somewhere, and has done it on purpose, like confiscating somebody's possessions, or another person has committed another offense, which, of course, should not be done. But in such cases, it should not be said that the Islamic Republic is also like the monarchial regime. In what respect is it like the monarchial regime? Was the Bazaar like this in that regime? Were the roads like those of today? You saw how the centers of prostitution were, and everything of ours was then like that. Our oil and everything of ours was being plundered. This (Islamic) regime has put a stop to such things. Such things are not mentioned. The pens are paralyzed in these matters. It does not concern the Islamic Republic if one does something (wrong) somewhere or kills so-and-so in some place, for instance. Such a person has done wrong; he ought to be checked. If he has actually done such a thing somewhere, you must check him. He must be checked, of course.

It is not a matter of advice that one sees in the writings. It is a matter of the grudges and the complexes that they have. They want to give vent to their complexes. This point ought to be borne in mind in all cases. My duty is to pray; I pray for all of you. May the Almighty Lord protect you. May He give you success in serving your country. You are Muslims; you must serve your Islam. You have love for your nation; therefore, you ought to serve it. You love your country; so you should serve it. Keep God in mind in your writings. Remember that the pen that you are wielding is now being watched by God. You will be questioned over whatever (offensive things) you write. Instead of this, if you can write something better, will you be asked as to why you wrote something bad? May God assist you. May you be successful.