Speech [Role of the radio and television in promoting Islam and the image of Iran and the need to improve their programs]

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

From the very early days following vitory of the revolution when the job was entrusted with the gentlemen I have always insisted that the issues raised in the radio and television should themselves promote Islam. At the outset, it was messy, in fact deplorable. When Qutbzadeh «1» was in charge of the organization, I advised him not to broadcast some kinds of music, and that if they could not distinguish between good and bad they had to forgo the whole thing. It is not acceptable to do an unlawful act to show something. He either could not or did not want. It was not done. Later other individuals came. I told them repeatedly that this was the way things should be done. The content and quality of programs should project the image of the Islamic Republic. There were defects in the content. Now it has improved. Still it is not desirable. Some issues that are necessary are aired insufficiently if not rarely. Some others that are not much necessary are repeated on many occasions. The situation should improve such that this defect can be removed. Likewise, some of the plays shown on TV such as passion plays are trite. It annoys me whenever I turn on the television, because most their normal plays are good, but their passion plays are trite. In brief, one becomes disgusted with themt. Maybe there is a group among people who favors this type of play, but in my opinion, showing those programs on TV at this time and in this situation is beneath Islamic Republic's dignity. Essential issues should be aired. News items of the world are not collected efficiently. News reports are aired repeatedly. Their time is being wasted on repetitions such as who met whom and who talked to whom and said such and such. This is denigrating. These matters should be somewhat improved gradually now that the gentlemen are in control of the organization. This was about this aspect of television.

Regarding the individuals working there, I should say that trustable individuals should be employed. These individuals should not make remarks abroad that run counter to trusteeship. For instance, a gentleman came here talking about the people who formerly worked in the radio and television. I saw they opposed the Constitution and brought about a situation to disturb things there. I do not say they intentionally did it, yet the situation was brought about. Subsequently, I told the gentlemen to dismiss them. Some said," it is not adviseable to dismiss them; they should be asked to resign." They were stopped to resign. Then a gentleman came to me and told me why I had told them to resign. I did not remember. I told him I do not remember. I don't remember what I told him. As I heard later, that gentlemen left and joined a party or somewhere. I was told this and I do not know whether it was true or not. Later they made telephone calls saying that Ahmad «2» had told them lies. You see, they presented my household in this way saying Ahmad was telling them lies about what I had sai. Accused him of such ablatant lie that all of you, Mr. Khamene'i, and all the people would easily notice. Well, for what reason did they make such allegations? They did so to disparage Ahmad who has no post or position. They wanted to demean here with such issues. Well, I do not know what the situation is and whether is has been a mistake or so. I expect the gentlemen to speak thoughtfully. It should not be such that, for instance, they harbor something in their mind or have a problem and then suddenly say Ahmad has told a lie quoting Khomeini while this is not the case. You know, Mr. President knows and let me say he knows that I wanted them to be dismissed. Of course, I did not ask them to resign. I said," Dismiss them," because they acted in contrast to the law. The condition there was such that the situation would be disturbed. Then the gentlemen said this is not good. Mr. Ardebili «3» said this is not good. The gentlemen should resign. I also said this is better.

Of course, I expect the gentlemen working in the radio and television not to deal with matters inspired by personal incentives. The issues should be treated based on the interests of our government and our country. For example, someone may be angry with a certain person, and then he goes and presents a distorted image of him on the radio and television. This treatment runs counter to the interests of the country. We should treat the issues with Islamic principles. We should develop Islamic ethics. We should never try to put down people, unduly magnify some or denigerate others. We should not be engaged in such matters. We should go beyond such concepts. Those who are in charge of the radio and television are trustees of the Islamic country. The radio and television differ from other places and a ministry. Here, the problems rapidly spread all over the world, and can provide agood pretext for those wanting to kick up a fuss. We should make sure that Islamic rules are closely observed here.

Let me repeat it that some music is still broadcast. The authorities on music should see if they cannot delete the music of a film, they reject the entire film.

[Mr. Muhammad Hashemi (managing director of the radio and television): Do you mean obscene music?]

Exactly! If it is an unlawful music!

Those dealing with war are not objectionable.

[Mr. Muhammad Hashemi: Anthems?]

Yes, there is no objection to them, but sometimes there are obscene songs.

[Mr. Hashemi: If you have some specific cases in mind, identify them.]

I cannot say. I cannot listen to radio all the time to see what it airs and which part is such and such. You gentlemen and the ones versed in the business should screen them out. No doubt, they can do this job. When they want to give something to be broadcast, they can screen out those parts; otherwise the whole thing should be scrapped.

You should be careful lest their plays be obscene. Sometimes, they are constructive and good. Predominantly, I think the plays made in Iran by them are good. However, the parts that, I do not know, deal with passion plays and panegyric are, in my opinion, trite. If others like, I have no objection. It seems so to me.

Anyway, to put it generally, the radio and television are like a corporation that deal with the world, not simply with Iran and us. It can present Iran to the world as a good or bad country. It can give excuse to the world or strip the world of any excuse. This is the function of this agency. You know everyone a radio in Iran. One cannot say a family is poor and does not have a radio. Formerly, people did not listen to radio. I myself did not listen. Today, `ulama' listen, theology students listen, and the poor listen and country people listen to the radio. Moreover, people watch television wherever it is posible. Moreover, it is aired abroad. We should think out a way lest God forbid we may provide an excuse for others ourselves. We should struggle to rely on God and if anything happened, we will not be to blame. The most important thing is that tomorrow when we go to God, will be exonerated from blame. Cannot differs from do not. Making mistake is different from doing intentionally. We should act in a way that when we leave for the other world, we are not disgraceful. We should struggle not to be defeated there; our defeat here is not important. In my opinion, our defeat here is not something to worry about.

[Mr. Hashemi: God willing, we will not suffer defeat here as well.]

There is no defeat at work, God willing. Although I say there is no talk of such words, the issue is out of question. Let me tell you that sometimes some of the intimate friends' voice concern saying that if you arenot living what will happen. I said the revolution is moving on the right track; it no longer hinges on anyone. They thought that if they blast the Islamic Republic Party and kill those dear gentlemen, the revolution would be destroyed. They had said that only a couple of those genlemen were left, and if the two were killed, the whole story would be over. Well, this argument stems from their lack of sound reason. Maybe their understanding is wrong. On the other hand, they might intentionally say such things to encourage the rogues to kill them as well. Anyhow, it is rolling on the right track and presented to the world. The world reckons with it. It is now being reckoned with by the world. The insults are indicative of the seriousness with which they are dealing with Iran. Why don't they abuse other places? Why are they only speaking ill of Iran? Is it only Iran that is engaged in terror. Is there no other places? Is Iran at top of all countries? Whatever is done wherever has been done by Iran! It is because they have been intimidated lest their call for Islam should be realized. They fear lest this voice should be raised in other countries. They are afraid of the Islam that destroys the bullies and let me say the corrupt people and the debaucheries. Islam wants to destroy drinking. Well, they fear it. Many of them and their heads are used to drinking. Well, they want this Islam not to not permeate other places. Even though it is established in Iran, they try to confine Islam to Iran. We want Islam to flourish in Iran. We do not want to lead a military expedition against any country. The entire world knows about it, even though they all deny that Iraq has attacked our country. Well, let us suppose Iran wants to sign the peace treaty. What should it do, how should it make peace and with who? Should it make peace with one who is trying to deceive the Kurds into colluding with him against Iran? However, he is telling a lie to the Kurds. He cannot get along with the Kurds. He wants to lure the Kurds into attacking us which will be very diasterous for them. Later on, he will deal them a deadly blow. He wants to do such a thing. The Kurds should be aware of the fact that Saddam does not befriend them He is pretending to be sitting with the poor and treating them affectionately. Last night Baghdad radio said: See our dear leader in this troubled world visits the slum dwellers and the poor and eats along with them and talks to them with no one guarding him- no guards at all. Right, these are mere words. We know and they know

The world has gradually come to draw attention to Iran. These poor and oppressed people of the world have come to realize that the development in Iran has opened the way for everywhere to awaken. We want to export our revolution in this way. We are not at war with anyone nor do we want to launch a military expedition. We want to make the world understand that Islam is progressive using dialogue and good acts we do here. Islam is good for all oppressed people. This will be exported everywhere. Do those who proclaim to be penitent really want Islam to be implemented? They want religious limits to be enforced out of despair. He is this sort of man. He does not understand what he is saying. The world knows him. Does he really want Islam to be put into practice? Or does he want to swindle people by pretending to be like us. He wants Islam to cease to exist. They want to introduce their version of Islam. They want an Islam to suit the taste of the US. Anyhow, we should pay great heed to Islamize everything in the country, and really trust God. That is, in our heart! Our heart should be connected to God. If this is realized, we no longer fear anything. Finally, everyone dies. If once, let us supposed, they attackus and kill all of us, nothing will happen. It is no longer important. May God sanction all of us! I wish you success. I hope we are all successful in rendering service to these

poor social classes who have always been trampled by the bullies in the course of history. I hope they will succeed in improving their living standards. May God protect you and keep you healthy!