SEMINAR ON PROMOTING INDEPENDENT AND PLURALISTIC ARAB MEDIA OPENS IN SANA'A

Press Release
PI/925

SEMINAR ON PROMOTING INDEPENDENT AND PLURALISTIC ARAB MEDIA OPENS IN SANA'A

SANA'A, 7 January (UN Information Centre) -- During its fiftieth anniversary year, the United Nations reaffirmed its commitment to press freedom, pluralism and the dignity of journalists and writers, Assistant Secretary-General for Public Information Samir Sanbar said today, as the Seminar on Promoting Independent and Pluralistic Arab Media opened in Sana'a.

Speaking on behalf of Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Mr. Sanbar said the media contributed to the current decisive period in the economic, social and cultural development of the Arab region. The right to information and freedom of expression were basic prerequisites for socio- economic development and political freedom. Citing the assassination of over 70 journalists last year -- more than 30 in Algeria alone -- he said attacks on the media and the killing of journalists should not be tolerated.

During its five-day session, which concludes on 11 January, the Seminar will review issues affecting media in the Arab world, including independence and pluralism; public service media; the legal, cultural and political framework for a free and pluralistic media; censorship and self-censorship; strengthening professional training; and training of media professional organizations.

In a welcoming address, the Prime Minister of Yemen, Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani, highlighted Yemen's support for the Seminar and paid tribute to the Secretary-General. The Assistant Director-General for Communication, Information and Informatics of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Henrikas Yushkiavitshus, spoke on behalf of Director-General Federico Mayor. Mahfuz Al-Ansari, Chief Editor of the Egyptian daily Al Goumhourya, spoke for the participating journalists.

Also attending the opening ceremony were the Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Information Minister and Education Minister of Yemen; ambassadors accredited to Sana'a; more than 140 journalists from all Arab countries; and representatives of donor countries and international non- governmental organizations.

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During its opening meeting, the Seminar also elected the following officers: Chairman, Raufa Hassan (Yemen); Vice-Chairmen, Mohamed Ben Salah (Tunisia), Obeid Sultan (United Arab Emirates), George Hawatmeh (Jordan), and Mohamed A.M. Abdul Rahman (Sudan); and Rapporteur, Mohamed Said Ahmed (Egypt).

The Seminar, which is a joint initiative of the Department of Public Information (DPI) and UNESCO, is expected to adopt its final declaration on 11 January.

Contributions of $530,000 for the Seminar's extrabudgetary expenses were made by the European Union, France, Denmark, the Rockefeller and Ford Foundations, and the International Programme for the Development of Communication. The DPI and UNESCO also contributed to financing for the Seminar.

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