The number of magazines and newspapers left unsold with newsagents and ending up in recycling centers are far higher than those sold in the country, according to figures provided by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
While this is the sad truth of the print media, however in order not to send the unsold magazines to the recycle bin, a scheme was devised and implemented by the ministry three months ago. Accordingly, instead of going straight for recycling, the unsold magazines are distributed free of charge to libraries, penitentiaries, prisons, hospitals, addiction rehab centers, welfare centers, bus terminals, university hostels, nursing homes for the aged and charities, ISNA reported.
Since the beginning of the scheme, more than 250,000 magazines have been purchased at a cost of $70,000 by the ministry. Also, during the current Iranian New Year (Norouz) holidays (March 19-April 2), 60,000 complimentary magazines were distributed among train passengers across the country.
According to official figures, from among 2,000 certified magazines, 150 have been registered in the scheme so far and it can be extended to cover 700 magazines.
Diplomat, Tejarat-e-Farda, Zanan-e-Emrouz, Khanevadeh, Chelcheragh, Khat-Khati, Movafaghiyat, and Khanevadeye Sabz, are some of the popular weekly magazines which have joined the scheme.
Newspaper agents sell their unsold magazines to recycling centers for peanuts, but by registering in the plan they can earn more.
Stating that the plan aims to cultivate the reading habit among the people and improve their knowledge on different subjects, Mohsen Haddadi, director general of public relations at the ministry’s Press Department, said in addition to improving knowledge, reading has many other benefits.
Reading helps in mental stimulation that can slow down the progress of cognitive disorders like dementia. “Also reading can help reduce daily tensions.”
The measure can also improve the quality of writing and publishers’ performance by respecting their efforts, Haddadi noted.
“But the plan will not be effective without continuous support by the Culture Ministry,” said Fereydoun Amouzadeh Khalili, managing director of ‘Chehelcheragh’ weekly, “If it continues to receive support, it will definitely contribute to productivity and motivation in the print media.”
Owners of magazines as well as the centers wanting to receive free magazines should go to www.eshterak.ir website and fill out the relevant forms for the scheme.
