Iranian Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini says that media outlets must correctly describe independent countries' stances in their news reports.

He made the remarks in his opening speech at a meeting of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) in Tehran on Sunday.

"In the era of the explosion of information, media and news outlets have found a more effective position. This doubles the responsibility of those engaged in media and cultural affairs. And transparently reflecting independent countries' stances is one of their most important responsibilities," Hosseini said.

"The hegemonic powers have retained their monopoly over the international order of communication by taking advantage of all the means at their disposal, including political and intelligence services, as well as capitalistic and economic corporations," he noted.

"The efforts to make the flow of news two-sided, which is essential for the free flow of information, have been disrupted due to the Westerners' access to advanced technology and their endeavors to create one-sided trends that are only meant to further their own interests and divide other nations and harm their interests," he added.

"On the other hand, the developments in information technology over the past 20 years, especially in the current decade, have led to up-to-the-minute awareness of the people via the media."

"The truth about distorted news is quickly revealed, and the various media outlets do not allow the facts to be concealed," the Iranian Culture Minister stated.

Representatives of 41 news agencies attended OANA's 31st Executive Board Meeting (EBM) and the 25th Editorial-Technical Experts Group (ETEG) Meeting, which was hosted by Iran's Mehr News Agency.

HSH/SS/HGL