Venezuelan officials, including President Nicolás Maduro, at the presentation of the Simon Bolivar 2025 National Journalism Award, with a video of Iranian journalist Sahar Emami playing in the background. Photo: Presidential Press.
This Friday, June 27, during the presentation of the Simón Bolívar 2025 National Journalism Award, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro granted a special distinction to Iranian journalist Sahar Emami, who survived an Israeli bombing of an Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Organization (IRIB) building.
The awards also honored the memory of martyrs Nima Rojabpour, head of the News Department, and Masoumeh Azimi, a member of the administrative staff of Iranian Television, who were killed by the Israeli regime during the attack while performing their duties.
Sahar Emami achieved national hero status in Iran during the illegal Zionist bombing by remaining on a live broadcast despite the bombing alarm. When an Israeli missile exploded very close to the recording set, she momentarily stepped away for safety. Shortly afterward, she returned to her position at the desk with remarkable composure despite the risk still present. She continued the live transmission, sending a clear message: the voice of truth cannot be silenced.
#AlmaPlusTv I Venezuela entrega a la periodista iraní Sahar Emami el Premio Nacional de Periodismo Simón Bolívar
🧕🏻La periodista iraní Sahar Emami, extendió su agradecimiento al Gobierno de Venezuela, por la entrega del Premio Nacional de Periodismo Simón Bolívar, en defensa de… pic.twitter.com/QsMxpBULzc
— Alma Plus Tv (@almaplustv) June 28, 2025
During her on-air statement, Emami addressed the attack with conviction, condemning it as “a reckless move by the Israeli government to suppress free expression.” She emphasized, “even if the physical building is hit, the voice of truth will endure. We will persist in our work, and our national media will continue broadcasting with resilience.” Her remarks quickly garnered praise across social media platforms, such as X, Instagram, and Telegram. Many lauded her courage and referred to her as a “fighter for press freedom” and a “symbol of national resilience.”
Since that day, her image has become a common sight throughout Iran, appearing on television screens, social media posts, billboards, and public spaces. A widely circulated video captures her condemning the attack as “a strike against the homeland’s integrity.”
The ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Venezuela, Ali Chegini, received the Simón Bolívar award from the Venezuelan president on behalf of Emami and the families of the media martyrs.
Through a short video, the Iranian journalist thanked the Venezuelan government for the distinction, recalling the brotherhood between the two nations, recognizing the Venezuelan people for their solidarity, the Liberator Simón Bolívar and President Hugo Chávez for their legacy, and President Maduro for his leadership in advancing the Bolivarian Revolution.
During the awarding ceremony the Venezuelan president also celebrated the ceasefire between Iran and “Israel,” after the Tel Aviv regime decided to attack the Islamic Republic for no reason on June 13, under the false pretext that Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons for its peaceful atomic program.
After 12 days of relentless defense and attacks by Iran against the Zionist regime, supported by the United States, the aggressor was forced to declare a ceasefire.
“Hopefully it is a ceasefire that opens the doors to a great world summit in West Asia, to discuss a peace plan, for a great peace agreement… that is not simply a military pause… an agreement of justice,” said Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
He also highlighted that while Israel stopped attacking Iran, the Zionist entity has not stopped attacking the Palestinian people in Gaza.
“Every day, ‘Israel’ murders 100 people, mostly children, women, and the elderly, in Palestine. Everyday. Meanwhile, the West looks aside,” he warned.
Faced with this systematic genocide, which already totals over 56,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023, President Maduro stated that he has proposed to world leaders the organization of a Great Summit for Peace and War that seeks a peaceful solution for West Asia.
“I hope they take responsibility in time and save humanity from a great war that is on the horizon, a great destructive war that would be nuclear in nature,” said the Venezuelan head of state.
Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
OT/SF/JRE
