Iranian President Hassan Rouhani noted that laws governing media activities must be clear, stressing that the country needs a well-defined media system

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani noted that laws governing media activities must be clear, stressing that the country needs a well-defined media system.

During a speech to the inaugural ceremony of the 21st Press Exhibition in Tehran on Sunday, Rouhani added that if the law is clear, no group would be able to “play with media freedom” using a word or a single sentence as excuse.

The Iranian president further said closing down and suspending media “must be the last words” in media jargon, adding, “Just in the same way that we need a media institution, we need a media system as well.”

The 21st edition of the annual event is being held at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosalla.

Iran’s Culture Minister Ali Jannati, managing directors of various news agencies and publications, a number of Iranian officials, foreign ambassadors residing in Tehran, as well as domestic and foreign guests attended the exhibition's inaugural ceremony on Sunday.

The annual event, which has chosen "Fair Criticism, Responsible Answer" as its motto, is attended by representatives of more than 700 domestic media in 567 pavilions.