The potential of media in fostering dialogue, mutual understanding and reconciliation was the topic of UNESCO World Press Freedom Day 2009 celebrated on 2-3 May 2009 in Doha, Qatar.There was also a ceremony where Koichiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, awarded the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2009.
The way the media influences thought and action and its capacity to foster dialogue, understanding and reconciliation was the focus of discussions at a UNESCO conference marking World Press Freedom Day 2009 to be held ,for the first time in an Arab country,in Doha (Qatar) on 2 and 3 May.
In his message for World Press Freedom Day 2009, the Director-General of UNESCO Koïchiro Matsuura stressed that: “We must strengthen our efforts to build a media that is critical of inherited assumptions yet tolerant of alternative perspectives; a media that brings competing narratives into a shared story of interdependence; a media that responds to diversity through dialogue.”
Based on the premise that only a free media will innately contribute to the dialogue and understanding across divides, the two day programme was divided into four sessions, during which media professionals from around the world discussed:
· The capacity of the media for intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding;
· The need to establish ethical and professional standards in order to build models of accountability as well as effective self regulation for journalists;
· What specific place for media in promoting interreligious dialogue and mutual understanding?
· Media and enhancing dialogue as a tool for empowering citizens.
The conference has been organized under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al- Missned, consort of His Highness the Emir of Qatar Shiekh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and UNESCO Envoy for Higher and Basic Education.
H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al Thani, Chairman of the Board, Doha Center for Media Freedom (Qatar) will open the event with George Anastassopoulos, President of UNESCO’s General Conference, and Abdul Waheed Khan, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information.
South-African journalist Allister Sparks, the author of several critically acclaimed books on his country’s transition from apartheid including, most recently, Beyond the Miracle: Inside the New South Africa, presented the <media 4500 _blank>keynote speech</media> which received much attention and interest.
During the conference, Mr Matsuura also presented the 2009 World Press Freedom Prize, awarded posthumously to murdered Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge. Mr Wickrematunge’s relative accepted the prize, which is supported by the Ottaway and Cano foundations and JP/Politiken Newspaper LTD.
<media 4495 _blank>Editorial</media>