Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad lifted on Tuesday a ban on
the US-based Cable News Network (CNN) which was imposed one day
earlier due to the channel's misinterpretation of his remarks, the
official IRNA news agency reported.
Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying in a letter sent to the
Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance that CNN be allowed to
resume its activities in view of its apology.
"We believe that accurate dissemination of news and information
is necessary for political growth and awareness as well as
effective interaction among nations in today's world, and the media
are the main sources of disseminating useful information,"
Ahmadinejad said.
"Taking into account CNN's apology, we are asking that the
channel be allowed to resume its activities, although we maintain
the view that the news it has broadcast was contrary to
professional ethics of journalism which requires truthful
dissemination of news in the interest of all," he added.
Ahmadinejad further stressed that the world public opinion was
mature enough to distinguish truth from error, noting that ensuring
lasting peace for all mankind based on justice and spirituality is
the goal of the Iranian government and nation.
On Saturday, Ahmadinejad said at a press conference that the
peaceful use of nuclear energy is a right which Iran cannot be
denied, but in CNN's live coverage, his remarks were interpreted
into that "the use of nuclear weapons is Iran's right."
(Xinhua News Agency, CRI.com January 18, 2006)
