Iran Snapshot: Ahmadinejad's Crocodile Tears for Journalists

We note Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's kind words for journalists as he closed the 17th International Festival and Fair of the Press and News Agencies. From the Islamic Republic News Agency:

President Ahmadinejad said the distinctive point of the media and reporters is their ability to well portray humanity and defend rights of nations vis-a-vis the domineering powers and plunderers of culture and identity of human beings. 

He said the mission marks a big campaign which can be fulfilled by nobody except for the media and reporters. 

'In my opinion, the most important job of the media is promotion of love and kindness among human beings and nations, building-up confidence and dignity in the human community and inspiring hope in society,' he said, adding that he is sure that the mediapersons -- wherever on earth they are -- favor love and kindness, self-confidence, dignity and hope and the problem , if any, is with cartels and capitalists who rule over the world, piling up pressure and dictating satanic disciplines on the human community, nations and the media. 

He noted that in his opinion, reporting is one of the most difficult, complicated, important and most influential jobs. 

Since the disputed June 2009 Presidential election, the Iranian Government has imprisoned more than 100 journalists. Many remain in detention, and others have been banned from pursuing journalism for up to 30 years. 

"Most difficult and complicated", indeed.