World Press Freedom Day 2009 to focus on media and dialogue
12-03-2009 (Paris)
Sculpture at UNESCO headquarters
© UNESCO
UNESCO is organizing World Press Freedom Day celebration, from 2 to 3 May 2009 in Doha, the capital of Qatar. This year’s Day, placed under the auspices of Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser Al-Missned, is organized jointly by UNESCO and the Doha Centre for Media Freedom. It will focus on the potential of media in fostering dialogue, mutual understanding and reconciliation.
The international conference will gather prominent media professionals and representatives of major non-governmental organizations from different parts of the world. This year, UNESCO invites participants to explore the enormous potential of media to serve as a platform for dialogue and a vehicle for understanding.
During the two-day event multiple issues will be addressed in relation to the main topic, including the role that media can play in intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding by eradicating hate speech, ignorance and prejudices. The importance of high ethical standards for journalists, in particular during a conflict, will also be at the heart of the dialogue. Another issue to be addressed by participants is the specific place that media has in promoting inter-religious and mutual understanding by an inclusive coverage of different opinions and values.
The celebration of World Press Freedom Day includes the award ceremony of the World Press Freedom Prize. The prize will be presented to a journalist or an organization that has made a notable contribution to the defence of freedom of expression. The 2009 winner is planned to be announced during the month of April.
During the two-day event multiple issues will be addressed in relation to the main topic, including the role that media can play in intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding by eradicating hate speech, ignorance and prejudices. The importance of high ethical standards for journalists, in particular during a conflict, will also be at the heart of the dialogue. Another issue to be addressed by participants is the specific place that media has in promoting inter-religious and mutual understanding by an inclusive coverage of different opinions and values.
The celebration of World Press Freedom Day includes the award ceremony of the World Press Freedom Prize. The prize will be presented to a journalist or an organization that has made a notable contribution to the defence of freedom of expression. The 2009 winner is planned to be announced during the month of April.
Related themes/countries
· Qatar
· World Press Freedom Day 2009
· Press Freedom: News Archives 2009
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- UNESCO
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