Iran urges stronger media alliance to elevate D-8 on global stage

Media institutions across D-8 member states must deepen cooperation to boost the efficiency of their work and elevate the Organization’s profile on the global stage, a senior Iranian official has stated.

Speaking at the D-8 Media Forum themed “Fostering Dialogue, Collaboration, and Regional Cohesion,” in Baku, Alireza Miryousefi, Director General for Foreign Media and Deputy Spokesperson of Iran’s Foreign Ministry, underscored the growing importance of the media in helping the Organization achieve its strategic goals, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

He stressed that media cooperation should be strengthened “through practical, low-cost, and high-impact approaches,” noting that such collaboration is essential for enhancing mutual understanding and improving the quality of information exchanged among member states.

Alireza Miryousefi outlined several initiatives aimed at fostering closer media ties, including regular professional exchanges between media organizations, short-term visits, mentorship schemes, and joint content development. He also called for intensified cooperation on modern platforms, particularly social media and other digital tools.

Further proposals included the creation of shared media resources and multilingual platforms to enhance the D-8’s global visibility, as well as the introduction of voluntary, non-financial support mechanisms to facilitate joint media production. The Iranian official also advocated for the establishment of permanent news bureaus across member states to build direct, reliable channels for information dissemination.

According to the Iranian official, these initiatives require minimal financial investment and instead rely on existing advantages — strong human capital, capable institutions, and the collective determination of D-8 countries to “be heard on their own terms.”

“If we implement these steps consistently, we cannot only improve the quality of information across the region but also strengthen the visibility of the D-8 both within our societies and internationally,” he said. Miryousefi urged participants to use the Baku forum not merely to discuss media challenges, but to build trust, expand cooperation, and amplify the collective voice of the D-8 nations. 

By Vafa Guliyeva