Events

“CONFLICT AND THE MEDIA” STUDENT CONFERENCE TO TAKE PLACE IN TBILISI ON MAY 28  AT ILIA STATE UNIVERSITY.

The conference, which is part of the EU funded “Journalist training and networking” project “MediaNeighbourhood”, targets students in journalism. The conference will befocusing on “Conflict and the media”. Speakers will include experts from members of Civil Society Organisations, professors from the University, and journalists.

Keynote speeches and panel discussions will cover subjects such as the role of the media in covering conflicts, the balkanization of South Caucasus, ,the influence of peace journalisms etc.

The EU Delegation will also participate with a keynote speaker and together with its EU monitoring mission in Georgia will introduce their journalism awards.

The conference is organized by the AFP Foundation, as part of a consortium led by BBC Media Action, implementing the EU-funded Media Neighbourhood project.

“Propaganda and disinformation have played a part in warfare since before the pharaohs ruled Egypt”, said Jean-Michel Duffrene, Media Neighbourhood Team Leader.” In the modern world, the media have an enormous capacity to prevent or to promote conflict. The aim of this conference is to make students of journalism aware of the media’s influence and responsibility.”

"The EU has been working for a long time to support the development of the media sector in the European Neighbhourhood. In Georgia, the media play a very important role and are pluralistic, however, problems remain with regard to professional ethics. Ethics acquires special significance in a country which went through a conflict recently and where part of the population lives in breakaway regions. With the current situation in Ukraine, we all see the power of media propaganda and how badly it can affect people's minds and efforts to normalize the situation. In a democratic society, media independence should be burdened with responsibility and this is what we are trying to promote in Georgia as well as the entire ENP region" said Boris Iarochevitch, Acting Head of the EU Delegation to Georgia.

Notes

•The full project title is: Media Neighbourhood: (European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument) ENPI- Regional Communication Programme 2011–2013: Journalist Training and Networking. The project is strengthening the professional capacity of journalists particularly in the areas of media independence and online media, enabling the public in the European Neighbourhood to better understand the European Union policies and cooperation activities. It creates an active and sustainable professional journalism network linking journalists and editors from the European Neighbourhood, both among themselves and with European journalists. Media Neighbourhood project increases awareness and knowledge among journalists of media ethics and effective and impartial investigative reporting standards and improves the capacity for media in the region to operate as financially viable and professional independent businesses. The EU Neighbourhood area covers 16 countries and territories participating in the European Neighbourhood policy (ENP) plus the Russian Federation. ENP was developed by the EU with the main objective of avoiding the emergence of a division between the enlarged EU and its neighbours. It strives to strengthen prosperity, stability and security for all. 

• MediaNeighbourhood is a EU funded project is implemented by a BBC Media Action led consortium consisting of IREX Europe, Fondation AFP, SociétéGénérale de Presse et d’Editions.a.l. (L’Orient – Le Jour), Canal France International, French Televisions Group, LDK Consultants Engineers and Planners SA and the Media Development Center.

• BBC Media Action is the BBC’s international development charity. We believe media can inspire and support individuals and transform societies. We work with media to help reduce poverty and promote rights around the world. Media helps people make sense of events, engage in dialogue, and shape their own lives. Yet many millions still lack access to free, reliable and practical information. We work with partners to help poor and marginalised people access their own rights, increase their choices and lead healthier lives. We help people be heard and to hold their leaders to account. The aim is to inform, connect and engage people around the world.

•The AFP Foundation is the non-profit arm of the AFP News Agency, set up in July 2007 to provide training and support to journalists in developing countries. It exists to raise journalism standards worldwide and promote press freedom.

• Please visit www.medianeighbourhood.eu or www.facebook.com/medianeighbourhood for more information

Press contacts :Anne-Louise Viteau - Tel. : +33 (0)1 40 41 81 84+33 (0)1 40 41 81 84 - anne-louise.viteau@afp.com

Jean-Michel Duffrene- Tel. : + 44 20 80 08 09 07+ 44 20 80 08 09 07 -  jean-michel.duffrene@bbc.co.uk

Conference Programme>>>