Clarifying the Current Situation; Perspectives of the Oral History Website
Maryam Asadi Jafari
Translated by Mandana Karimi
2025-8-28
The definition of a “journalist” and the profession of “journalism” is not limited to simply “gathering,” “editing,” and “publishing breaking news.” Such an approach aligns more with the work done in news agencies and news websites. But now, after years of working in the field of books for various news agencies, newspapers, and magazines, when I look back, I realize that producing and compiling content for the “Oral History website” has been a deeper and more professional step for me in the world of publishing.
When a journalist is supposed to take a broad view of the body of literature—although oral history, according to some experts, is not considered part of literature—they have more freedom of action. However, when the task is to develop and expand just one brick of the vast structure of knowledge and publishing—such as oral history—within the framework of a specialized website, a very difficult job lies ahead. This is because the circle of people who can be interviewed narrows, and consequently, the scientific and content weight of the subjects and materials must be heavier and more substantial. As seen in recent years, by addressing topics such as “the moral and material rights of oral history works,” we have put effort into clarifying this issue.
Analyzing and challenging the fundamental principles of oral history from the perspective of Iranian experts, discovering unseen talents in the field of oral history, scientifically and accurately introducing oral history to practitioners, professionally reviewing and critiquing published works on the subject, and ultimately striving to strengthen the correct and scientific relationship between oral history and universities—these have been only some of the efforts of the team behind the “Oral History website” over the years. On the verge of the 700th issue of the Oral History weekly journal, I hope these efforts will continue with the ongoing support and cooperation of experts.
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We asked several researchers and activists in the field of oral history to express their views on oral history questions. The names of each participant are listed at the beginning of their answers, and the text of all answers will be published on this portal by the end of the week. The goal of this project is to open new doors to an issue and promote scientific discussions in the field of oral history.The Role of Objects in Oral Narrative
Philosophers refer to anything that exists—or possesses the potential to exist—as an object. This concept may manifest in material forms, abstract notions, and even human emotions and lived experiences. In other words, an object encompasses a vast spectrum of beings and phenomena, each endowed with particular attributes and characteristics, and apprehensible in diverse modalities.100 Questions/6
We asked several researchers and activists in the field of oral history to express their views on oral history questions. The names of each participant are listed at the beginning of their answers, and the text of all answers will be published on this portal by the end of the week. The goal of this project is to open new doors to an issue and promote scientific discussions in the field of oral history.The Importance of Pre-Publication Critique of Oral History Works
According to the Oral History website, a meeting for critique and review of the book “Oral History: Essence and Method” was held on Monday morning, November 10, 2025, with the attendance of the book’s author, Hamid Qazvini, and the critics Mohammad Qasemipour and Yahya Niazi, at the Ghasr-e Shirin Hall of the National Museum of the Islamic Revolution and Sacred Defense.
