Journalist Day (Jalali: Mordad 17, 1377) is observed annually on Mordad 17 to honor journalists and media professionals in Iran. The observance highlights the important role of journalists in reporting news and reflecting social, political, and cultural events. On this day, the work and efforts of journalists are recognized, emphasizing the importance of transparency and free access to information. In 1377 (1998), Journalist Day was officially added to the Iranian calendar following the killing of Mahmoud Saremi, an Iranian journalist, in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, by the Taliban that same year. This incident, which resulted in the deaths of eight Iranian diplomats and one journalist, drew public attention to the dangers faced by journalists and led to the designation of Mordad 17 as Journalist Day. In recent years, Journalist Day has become an opportunity to discuss the challenges and issues facing the journalism profession. The day is marked by media organizations and journalism institutions, with events held to acknowledge journalists and examine the state of press freedom. According to Islamic Republic sources, this observance is registered and presented in the official calendar in this form and with these descriptions.
