TEHRAN - The second edition of the Sobh Media Festival took place on Sunday evening, featuring keynote speakers who are predominantly journalists discussing the pressing issue of Gaza.

Canadian journalist Sharmine Narwani highlighted Iran's pivotal role in the resistance front, stating, "Every element of resistance has its own influence, and the resistance has changed the shape of the region. Iran has created true partners in resistance," she said, emphasizing the uniqueness of this alliance. She also acknowledged the significant contributions of Iranian anti-terror General Soleimani, who transferred crucial knowledge and capabilities to the resistance front.

Narwani stressed the importance of humanitarian efforts, urging journalists to accurately report the situation in Gaza. She also cautioned against using colonial terms like "Middle East," which carry imperialist connotations, suggesting "West Asia" as a more appropriate term.

Denijal Jegic, a Croatian journalist, spoke on the stabilizing impact of the resistance in the region. He emphasized that the resistance has brought a semblance of stability amidst ongoing conflicts.

Palestinian journalist Israa M. I. Al-Bahisi, a survivor of the genocidal war in Gaza, criticized Western media for portraying the Zionist regime as the victim. "The Western media has not succeeded in this regard," she noted. 

Expressing solidarity with Gazans, Al-Bahisi poignantly shared, "I used to have four children; now I have many," reflecting the widespread loss and suffering.

Jordanian artist Suhad Khatib called for a deeper focus on the personal stories of Palestinians, both those who have perished and those who are still alive. "Those who have been killed in this war are not just numbers; each and every one of them has a story," she asserted. 

Khatib criticized the longstanding U.S. control over the narrative and emphasized the need to tell these stories with heartfelt attention. "It's our time to tell our stories," she declared.

The festival primarily focused on the plight of Gazans and the Western-backed Israeli genocidal war in the besieged enclave. It also highlighted the role of Western media in whitewashing the Tel Aviv regime's war crimes in Gaza.