Iran wants Indian media presence

New Delhi, Feb 13 (UNI) Teheran today New Delhi that it was keen to have presence of Indian media persons in Iran.

The West Asian country feels more interaction with Iranian media could project the Indian viewpoint up to the Iranian public in a better way.

''Iran has five news agencies, which are ready to have extended cooperation with India. Our proposal is to arrange interaction between the media from the two sides, Iranian Vice Minister and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini told Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, P R Dasmunsi today.

In his response Mr Dasmunsi said the Ministry would discuss the issue and would make speedy effort to fill this gap.

Giving a broad view of the media scene in India, Mr Dasmunsi said the freedom of the media was guaranteed by the Constitution and was one of the pillars of the democracy.

For print sector, an autonomous body Press Council of India was the authority to address any complaints whereas Cable and Television Network Act was in place to address issues related to the electronic media.

''The Government never gives any dictation or direction to the media. India being a free press country, media reports generating from India may not necessarily be taken as Government's viewpoint, he said.

The visiting dignitary said the mutual deliberations between the two countries would further strengthen the traditional friendship.

He appreciated the views expressed by the Minister which he felt can pave the way for a broad cooperation in the media sector.

Mr Abdul Reza Bondi, Iranian News Agency (IRNA), Chief of Bureau, in his remarks said that they didn't have a single difficulty throughout IRNA's 30 year long presence in India.

Principal Director General (M&C) Deepak Sandhu in her remarks referred to the excellent participation of the Iranian films and film makers at International Film Festival of India every year.

She said that further efforts would be made to facilitate Iranian media interaction at the Government level.

UNI NAZ MSJ RAI2013