First Eurasian mass media forum opens
25.04.2002The forum is being attended by some 300 delegates and guests, including heads of the leading world news agencies, newspapers, magazines, TV and radio broadcasting companies from 63 countries, as well as representatives of international and professional journalistic associations. Guests of honour include President Mohammad Khatami of Iran and Secretary-General of the International Federation of Journalists Aidan White.
The forum, due to be held for three days, will discuss the geopolitical situation on the Eurasian continent and will outline its plans for the future. The main topics for discussion will be the search for ways to establish mutual understanding between the East and the West, the formulation of the concept of the place and role of the continent in the modern world, as well as the analysis of the developments on the continent and of the ways to counter new threats.
Addressing the forum, Aidan White said that the Eurasian countries were just making the first trial steps on the way to achieving progress in the sphere of journalism. In his opinion, national laws on mass media are better adjusted to serve the interests of the political elite and are used for suppressing freedom of speech of the independent mass media. He added, however, that this does not rule out the need for journalists themselves to be true professionals and to take upon themselves the responsibility for the non-ethical steps, which give a negative image to journalism.
According to White, the purpose of the Alma Ata forum is to enhance the potential of the mass media in the region. He stressed that the creation of structures promoting the independence of mass media from politics and the establishment of a dialogue with society may become one of the accomplishments of the forum.
Source: Gazeta SNG
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