World Press Freedom Day 2018

Programme

Wed, 2 May
8:30 to 18:30	Registration (for all participants) .
9:45 to 10:30	World Press Freedom Day Opening Ceremony Venue: Adlon Ballroom (French interpretation provided) World Press Freedom Day Opening Ceremony The official Opening Ceremony of World Press Freedom Day 2018 will open the main conference of the celebration of press freedom, freedom of expression and freedom of information. Speakers Getachew Engida Deputy Director-General, UNESCO Mustapha Abdul-Hamid Minister of Information of the Republic of Ghana
10:30 to 12:00	Plenary 1 Media Under Fire: What Are the New Challenges to Press Freedom 27 Years After the Windhoek Declaration? Organizer: UNESCO \| Venue: Adlon Ballroom (French interpretation provided) Media Under Fire: What Are the New Challenges to Press Freedom 27 Years After the Windhoek Declaration? This plenary will discuss the current challenges to press freedom and freedom of expression, including freedom of artistic expression. 25 years after the first edition of World Press Freedom Day, press freedom is not an established fact, but a goal that constantly needs to be fought for. UNESCO’s report on World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development has shown that even in countries where freedom of expression is constitutionally guaranteed, political developments and power shifts have been trending towards a clampdown on press freedom. New challenges, related to political developments, technological advances and national security concerns, require advocates of press freedom to constantly battle for its preservation and further enhancement. The recent trend of rising criticism of the media by political figures encourages self-censorship and undermines the media’s credibility. The recent rise in verbal attacks on the media by political figures has encouraged self-censorship and undermined the media’s credibility. Self-censorship is also a result of misogyny and sexual harassment targeting women journalists. While there is a trend towards greater access to information, partly due to technology, repression of free speech remains a crucial problem in many countries. This comes at a time of unprecedented business challenges for news media around the world, weakening the ability to maintain editorial independence. The world over, freedom of expression needs to be defended on many fronts: political attacks against the media, the issue of freedom of expression online and physical attacks against journalists are only some examples. Furthermore, an ever-changing political environment and developing media landscape also require the development of adequate legal structures and laws strengthening freedom of expression. This plenary will thus offer an occasion to scrutinize the situation of press freedom in 2018: Where are we concerning freedom of expression globally? What are the most pressing current challenges? How can freedom of expression be upheld and defended in 2018? Keynote Speaker Nnenna Nwakanma Senior Policy Manager, World Wide Web Foundation Speakers Nadia Massih (Moderator) Broadcast journalist - France 24 Stephen Dunbar President International, The New York Times Company Ferial Haffajee Editor-at-large, Huffington Post South Africa Kwame Karikari Founder, Media Foundation for West Africa Mostefa Souag Acting Director-General - Al Jazeera Media Network Gwen Lister Journalist, columnist and press freedom activist
12:00 to 13:30	Informal Meeting of Donors Organizer: SIDA \| Venue: Room tbc
13:30 to 15:00	Parallel Session 1 Covering Elections and Electoral Campaigns: Old And New Challenges in Times of Media Disinformation Organizer: ICFJ \| Venue: Adlon Ballroom 1 \| Format: Panel discussion Covering Elections and Electoral Campaigns: Old And New Challenges in Times of Media Disinformation Across the globe, elections are magnets for disinformation. In efforts to confuse or manipulate voters, a variety of anti-democratic forces are challenging reliable news sources as never before. They are using bots, fabricated reports and internet shutdowns to wreak havoc during elections. In this panel, we'll look at how journalists can counter these disinformation campaigns. What new techniques are available now to ensure that fact-checked information travels faster than falsehoods? With the democratization of the news industry, what can professional news organizations do to build trust and ensure that audiences are media literate? What strategies can news organizations adopt to fight back against internet shutdowns designed to curtail vital information during elections? Journalists and other experts will discuss how they’re fighting back in the age of disinformation. Speakers Joyce Barnathan (Moderator) President, International Center for Journalists Catherine Gicheru Investigative Journalist, ICFJ Knight Fellow Sulemana Braimah Executive Director - Media Foundation for West Africa G rant Masterson Senior Programme Manager - Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) Nezar Patria Digital Editor in Chief - The Jakarta Post
13:30 to 15:00	Parallel Session 2 Joint Session Special Rapporteurs Organizer: ARTICLE 19 \| Venue: Adlon Ballroom 2 \| Format: Panel discussion Joint Session Special Rapporteurs At this session, four freedom of expression mandates will launch their 2018 Joint Declaration addressing key freedom of expression issues of the day. Four mandate holders are appointed by intergovernmental bodies across the globe to protect and promote free media and expression. The joint declarations have proven to be a noteworthy example of international co-operation in the field of media-freedom advocacy and a great opportunity to speak with a common voice. Focusing every year on a particular threat to free expression and recommending specific actions, the declarations reflect the evolution of media during a time marked by tremendous technological change. Joint Declarations by the rapporteurs have been adopted annually since 1999, covering current universal challenges to freedom of expression. The previous declarations are available at https://www.osce.org/fom/66176. The session will also broadcast a video message from Lawrence Mute, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, African Commission on Human and Peoples. Speakers Barbora Bukovska (Moderator) Senior Director for Law and Policy, ARTICLE 19 David Kaye Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, OHCHR Harlem Desir Representative on Freedom of Expression and Special Rapporteur, OSCE Edison Lanza Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, Organization of American States Toby Mendel Director, Center for Law and Democracy Fatou Jagne Director West Africa, ARTICLE 19
13:30 to 15:00	Parallel Session 3 Joint Launch of the UNESCO Report on “World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development” and the UNESCO Global Report “Re\|Shaping Cultural Policies” Organizer: UNESCO \| Venue: Adlon Ballroom 3 \| Format: Panel discussion (French Interpretation provided) Joint Launch of the UNESCO Report on “World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development” and the UNESCO Global Report “Re\|Shaping Cultural Policies” UNESCO’s new two 2018 Global Reports examine from different but interdependent perspectives the global situation of freedom of expression and creation, access to information and cultural life, and the protection of fundamental freedoms. They also provide new information and data on the new challenges in media development and cultural policy for the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In so doing, they remind us that free, plural and independent media, as well as artistic freedom and creativity are key to the functioning of strong and vibrant democratic societies. Key questions to be addressed: How do media and cultural stakeholders assess the two Reports? How can stakeholders ensure that media independence and participatory governance for culture are included as priorities in national policies and frameworks for sustainable development? What are the efficient ways to support artists and journalists at risk? How can we improve gender equality in the media and culture workplace? What is needed to protect freedom of expression and civic engagement in the global digital ecosystem in the coming years? Speakers Getachew Engida (Opening Remarks) Deputy Director-General UNESCO Marie Ottosson Deputy Director General - SIDA Bernard Avle (Moderator) Broadcast Journalist G uy Berger Director for Freedom of Expression and Meda Development - UNESCO Ramon Tuazon President, Asian Institute of Journalism (AJIC) & Secretary General of the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC) Julie Reid Researcher, University of South Africa Danielle Cliche Chief of Section of Diversity of Cultural Expressions and Secretary of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, UNESCO Ojoma Ochai Director of Arts West Africa, British Council Sara Whyatt Campaigner and Researcher
13:30 to 15:00	Academic Conference - Panel A Digital Media and Journalists’ Safety Organizer: University of Ghana, UNESCO, University of Sheffield, University of Malaga \| Venue: Stafford Digital Media and Journalists’ Safety – Chair: Professor Audrey Gadzekpo Welcome Remarks by H.E. Mr Lionel Strenghart Veer, Ambassador of the Netherlands to UNESCO Digital safety for journalists in the age of ubiquitous surveillance: Insights from newsrooms in Zimbabwe and South Africa – Admire Mare The growing online threats to journalists in Europe – Aline Ostling and Raphael Kies The state of technology in global newsrooms – ICFJ The shrinking space on the internet for citizen journalists in China – Doriane Lau
15:30 to 17:00	Parallel Session 6 Artistic Freedom in the Digital Age Organizer: UNESCO \| Venue: Siam \| Format: Panel discussion Artistic Freedom in the Digital Age What documentation/empirical evidence is available to demonstrate the extent of surveillance and other restrictions on the digital environment specifically as it relates to artists/artworks? Are ISPs censorship mechanisms (such as guidelines on ‘standards of behaviour’) having a corrosive effect on arts freedom? What are the ways to improve the conditions for artistic freedom in the digital environment? Are women artists more affected by threats in the digital environment? What are the models and good practices to be developed that can contribute to the documentation, analysis, monitoring and advocacy to promote artistic freedom in the digital environment? Speakers Ojoma Ochai (Moderator) Director of Arts, West Africa, The British Council Bright Ackwerh Satirical Artist Fatou Jagne Regional Director, ARTICLE 19 Hija Kamran Head of Communications and Research, Digital Rights Foundation Ole Reitov Founder, Freemuse
15:30 to 17:00	Academic Conference - Panel B Non-State Actors and Journalists' Safety Organizer: University of Ghana, UNESCO, University of Sheffield, University of Malaga \| Venue: Stafford Non-State Actors and Journalists' Safety - Chair: Professor Jackie Harrison Media under siege: when civil society actors use violence to gag media in Ghana’s Northern Region – Amin Alhassan and Felix Odartey-Wellington Advancing data collection by non-state actors on violence against journalists – Sara Torsner and Leon Willems How safe are campus radio stations: A study of campus radio journalists in North-central Nigeria – Jude Terna, James Ashiekpe and Faith Nwaigwe Negotiating journalist safety: A case for refocusing media development in Africa – Viola Milton and Winston Mano Financial security of journalists and media capture: Implications for press freedom in Ghana and Nigeria – Gifty Appiah-Adjei, Joyce Mensah and Daniel Doh
15:30 to 17:00	Parallel Session 4 Debate: Does Online Speech Need Regulation or Self-Regulation? Organizer: DW Akademie \| Venue: Adlon Ballroom 2\| Format: Debate of two teams Debate: Does Online Speech Need Regulation or Self-Regulation? DW Akademie is organizing Parallel Session 4, in which two opposing teams will focus on the question whether online speech needs regulation or self-regulation. The session will be a moderated, interactive debate between speakers from different countries, who will discuss where and how to draw the line between Freedom of Speech and protection of people from harmful speech and content. Highly-relevant questions, such as What can effective self-regulation look like? and Is it possible to regulate online speech at scale with algorithms – without restricting freedom of expression? will be at the core of the debate. In the end, the audience will get to decide which team had the better arguments. Speakers Daniel Blank (Moderator) Country Representative Ghana, Deutsche Welle Akademie Jeremiah Sam Programmes Director, Penplusbytes George Sarpong Executive Secretary, Ghana National Media Commission Jean-François Funémont Expert for Canal France International Mira Milosevic Executive Director, Global Forum for Media Development
15:30 to 17:00	Parallel Session 5 Right to Information: How Can Freedom of Information Laws Contribute to Sustainable Development in Africa? Organizer: World Bank, EU, AFIC \| Venue: Adlon Ballroom 3 \| Format: Panel discussion (French interpretation provided) Right to Information: How Can Freedom of Information Laws Contribute to Sustainable Development in Africa? Citizens’ access to information (ATI) is crucial for the realisation of sustainable development as a target of its own and as a driver for the realisation of other SDGS. Goal 16 target 10 seeks to ensure that citizens’ access to information and fundamental freedoms are protected in accordance with national and international agreements. Access to information is linked to all SDGs related to poverty, health, education, gender equality, inclusive development and inequality among others. For example, it is recognised that Africa is endowed with vast natural resources ranging from natural gas to forests, minerals, forests and fresh water and its resources. Further, many governments have invested in boosting food security and family incomes, however, these investments have left many women, people with disabilities, youth and rural communities behind because either they lack information on these opportunities or on legal protection on the means of production such as land. A new report on the status of access to information by Africa Freedom of Information centre finds that 61% of African countries have not adopted national access to information laws while all the 21 countries that have adopted these laws are challenged with their implementation. The study also finds that moment for adoption of ATI laws has slowed down despite the launch of SDG framework two years ago. The lack of ATI laws presents challenges of determining what information to release, when, to whom, how and by whom. Wide discretion undermines accountability and risks failure of attainment of sustainable development. The session aims to: a. Create awareness on the urgent importance of access to information as a means to promote the realisation of SDGs. b. Mobilise member states, multilateral agencies, civil society and other stakeholders on the need to promote adoption and implementation of ATI laws. c. Build alliances for action on the realisation of SDG 16.10.2. Speakers Sumir Lal (Moderator) Director for External and Corporate Relations, The World Bank David Kaye UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression Gilbert Sendugwa Executive Director - Africa Freedom of Information Centre Helen Darbishire Founder, Access Info Europe Stanley Mutumba Simataa Minister of Information and Communication Technology in Namibia, Nnenna Nwakanma Senior Policy Manager, World Wide Web Foundation Mina Mensah Regional Coordinator, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
17:00 to 18:30	Parallel Session 7 Flourishing Societies and the Role of Press Freedom Organizer: CIMA/EJC/Project Syndicate \| Venue: Stafford \| Format: Panel discussion Flourishing Societies and the Role of Press Freedom An independent press is the lifeblood of healthy, inclusive societies. But in an era when media freedom is under assault, it is vital that all segments of our global community understand the value of a high quality, sustainable media and open information systems. Drawing on Project Syndicate’s list of high-profile contributors, this session will demonstrate and discuss the importance of vigorous, independent media and the free flow of information to the functioning and sustainability of society. It will feature a diverse range of presenters representing the fields of development, economics, gender, youth empowerment, the sciences, and the arts who will discuss their views on the role of media in human progress and how we can contend with the current challenges facing media freedom around the world. Speakers Mark Nelson (Moderator) Senior Director for National Endowment for Democracy Jeffrey Sachs (Live Video Chat) Director, Columbia University Center for Sustainable Development Nina L. Khrushcheva Book Author Dorothy Nyambi Executive Vice President, African Institute of Mathematical Sciences Carl Manlan Chief Operating Officer, Ecobank Foundation Nanjala Nyabola Writer and Political Analyst Binyavanga Wainaina Kenyan writer
18:30 to 22:00	UNESCO / Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize Ceremony and Gala Dinner Venue: Adlon Ballroom (by invitation only) UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize Ceremony On 2 May, the Award ceremony of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize will take place. Created in 1997, the annual UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize honours a person, organization or institution that has made an outstanding contribution to the defence and, or promotion of press freedom anywhere in the world, and especially when this has been achieved in the face of danger. The Prize was established on the initiative of UNESCO's Executive Board and is formally conferred on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day. It is named in honour of Guillermo Cano Isaza, a Colombian journalist who was assassinated in front of the offices of his newspaper El Espectador in Bogotá, Colombia on 17 December 1986. Egyptian photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid, known as Shawkan, has been selected by an independent international jury of media professionals as the laureate of the 2018 Prize. Speakers Nana Akufo-Addo President of the Republic of Ghana Getachew Engida Deputy Director-General, UNESCO Claudia Turbay Quintero Ambassador of Colombia to the Republic of Ghana Gwen Lister Journalist and press freedom activist

Thu, 3 May
8:00 to 18:00	Registration (for all participants) .
9:00 to 10:30	Plenary Session 2 Focus on Investigative Journalism : Uncovering Corruption and Political Malpractice Organizer: UNESCO \| Venue: Adlon Ballroom (French interpretation provided) Focus on Investigative Journalism : Uncovering Corruption and Political Malpractice This panel will focus on investigative journalism and specifically, its role in uncovering corruption and political malpractice. Journalists are keeping power in check by researching malpractice, uncovering illegal activities and connections, and making this information accessible to the public. Recently, journalists have especially excelled in uncovering financial and political scandals such as tax evasion schemes, money laundering and misuse of political power. In response to the increasingly transnational nature of corruption and financial scandals, journalists have formed international networks to collaborate in their investigations, relying more on exchanging and storing information online. The ambition to confront power makes investigative journalists frequent targets of physical attacks and legal action, aimed at silencing journalists. Due to the threats against their work, source protection is especially important for investigative journalists. Questions: What are the specific risks that investigative journalists are currently facing? What initiatives can be taken to address these risks? How can legal source-protection online and offline safeguard investigative journalists and their sources? How can international networks of investigative journalists amplify media’s work in uncovering corruption? How do such networks organize themselves and do they provide additional protection for the journalists involved? Keynote Speaker J ob Rabkin Investigations Editor - Channel 4 Speakers Stephanie Busari (Moderator) Africa Digital Editor - CNN Anas Aremeyaw Anas Investigative Undercover Journalist Oluwatoyosi Ogunseye Head of West Africa - BBC World Service Jose Ugaz Former ad-hoc Attorney of Peru, board member of Transparency International Petra Caruana Dingli Journalist - Sunday Times of Malta Will Fitzgibbon Head of Africa Desk - International Consortium of Investigative Journalists
9:15 to 10:30	Academic Conference - Panel C Gender, Sexuality, Religion, Conflict and Other Sensitive Issues Organizer: University of Ghana, UNESCO, University of Sheffield, University of Malaga \| Venue: Siam Gender, Sexuality, Religion, Conflict and Other Sensitive Issues, Chair: Professor Kwame Karikari Covering sexual and gender minorities & religion in sub Saharan Africa: A Reporting Guide for Journalists – Brian Pellot Freedom of expression in a time of conflict: prosecution of journalists in coverage of the Russian-Ukranian conflict – Bakhtiyor Avezdjanov Russia’s deadliest newspaper: Challenges, threats and protective mechanisms – Vera Slavtcheva-Petkova Symptoms of PTSD in frontline journalists: A retrospective examination of 18 years of war and conflict – Anthony Feinstein
11:15 to 12:45	Parallel Session 9 Investigative Journalism: Ethics and Risk Mitigation Organizer: IFJ \| Venue: Adlon Ballroom 2 \| Format: Storytelling followed by debate Investigative Journalism: Ethics and Risk Mitigation Investigative journalism is at the heart of the journalism's ability to fulfill its mission of holding power to account. Those who wish to silence journalism first target investigative reporters. It is those reporters ability to be able to shine a light in the dark corners of our societies that enable citizens to exercise some democratic control. But everywhere investigative journalism is under attack. Sometimes starved of resources by media companies intent more on commercial gain but more often than not by politicians, paramilitaries and terrorist organisations. This session will share the experience of frontline investigative journalists and those who represent them in some of the most hostile environments and discuss and debate the methods used by investigative journalists. We will seek, through storytelling and free-flowing debate to answer some key questions, to analyse the risks faced by investigative journalists, to understand how those risks can be mitigated, to evaluate the craft of the investigative journalists, to tackle the thorny question of do the ends justify the means and to chart some common actions that journalists organisations can take to support and enhance the role investigative journalism can play in holding the powerful to account. Each contributor will have 5 minutes to talk about a key investigation and the lessons learned – there will then be plenty of time for a moderated and lively Q&A session. Speakers Jeremy Dear (Moderator) Deputy General Secretary - International Federation of Journalists Adriana Hurtado Cortés President - Federation of Colombian Journalists Citra Dyah Prastuti Chief editor - KBR Roland Affail Monney President of the Ghana Journalists Association Erick Oduor Secretary General - Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) D apo Olorunyomi Editor Chief - Premium Times Limited
11:15 to 12:45	Parallel Session 10 National Mechanisms for the Safety of Journalists in Africa Organizer: UNESCO, IMS \| Venue: Adlon Ballroom 3 \| Format: Round table (French interpretation provided) National Mechanisms for the Safety of Journalists in Africa What are the main safety challenges for journalists in Africa? What has been the impact of national initiatives for the safety of journalists on the Continent? Exchange good practices (eg. With participants of UNESCO’s regional conference in East Africa and representative(s) of the African Union) How can these initiatives be scaled up and institutionalized in a way that ensures multi-stakeholder participation? How can the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists in Africa be reinforced? Outcome-based session responding to questions such as: -What could specific mechanisms look like? -How to involve the essential stakeholders? Moderator Lydia Gachungi Regional Expert for Safety of Journalists and Media Development - UNESCO Edetaen Ojo IMS board member and Media Rights Agenda (Nigeria) Speakers Ayaa Irene P. Lokang Media Development Officer - Association for Media Development in South Sudan Boubacar Diallo Nigerian Journalist Dhikra Sarsam Founding member - Burj Babel for Media Development Organization Filippa Arvas Olsson Senior adviser at the Swedish Ministry of Culture. Anna Bossman Ambassador of Ghana to France Roukaya Kaysanally CEO - African Media Initiative (AMI) Muheeb Saeed Programme Officer - MFWA Nasrin Mohamed Ibrahim Journalist and Activist Robert Shaw Manager - International Media Support Victor Bwire Programmes Manager - Media Council of Kenya Ambassador Salah S. Hammad Head of the African Governance Architecture (AGA)
11:15 to 12:45	Parallel Session 8 Internet Shutdowns and Service Restrictions - New Tools in Restricting the Free Flow of Information? Organizer: Access Now \| Venue: Adlon Ballroom 1 \| Format: Panel discussion Internet Shutdowns and Service Restrictions - New Tools in Restricting the Free Flow of Information? Shutdowns can range from partial shutdowns, such as the blocking of specific communication tools or social media platforms, to the full closing down of the internet for a given period within a geographical area. Internet shutdowns and the blocking of communication tools often occur in the lead-up or aftermath of elections and during times of political unrest. They can constitute a violation of human rights, since they block the free flow of information. They can also disrupt the media’s work, impeding reporting and information-sharing. When tools for encrypted communication are targeted, citizens’ ability to share information privately is affected. This constitutes a particularly grave threat to human rights defenders, journalists and activists. This panel will thus discuss: When and where do internet shutdowns occur and what are justifications used to disrupt access to the internet or specific services? Can national security concerns ever justify such measures? What are the effects on the media? Legal aspects: How should the law deal with internet shutdowns? Right to encryption ‘Trumping’ effect of national security / anti-terrorism laws Speakers M elody Patry (Moderator) Advocacy Director - Access Now Serge Daho Researcher - PROTÉGÉ-OV Julie Owono Executive Director - Internet Without Borders Alp Toker Founder - Turkey Blocks Hija Kamran Head of Communications and Research, Digital Rights Foundation Kwaku Sakyi Addo Chairman - Ghanaian National Communications Authority Corinna Zarek Senior Tech Policy Fellow - Mozila Foundation
11:15 to 12:45	Parallel Session 11 Defining Internet Universality Indicators: a Step Towards Internet Development and Policy Improvements Organizer: UNESCO \| Venue: Stafford \| Format: Panel discussion Defining Internet Universality Indicators: a Step Towards Internet Development and Policy Improvements UNESCO’s project “Defining Internet Universality Indicators” aims to elaborate appropriate Internet indicators, which can enrich the stakeholders’ capacity to assess Internet development, broaden international consensus and foster online democracy and human rights. The draft indicators include five categories concerned with the R-O-A-M principles, which promote an Internet: that is based on human Rights (R); that is Open (O); that is Accessible to all (A); and that is nurtured by Multistakeholder participation (M). A crosscutting category (X) addresses the relationships between the four previous ones and includes issues on gender, children and the youth… The first draft Internet Indicators gather more than twenty indicators concerned with freedom of expression and the right to information. These include indicators on restrictions on Internet access and use, journalists and bloggers subject to arbitrary detention, prosecution, intimidation as well as harassment for disseminating and accessing information online. How could Internet Universality R-O-A-M framework and indicators enable a conducive environment for freedom of expression, the right to information and the safety of journalists, as part of achieving the SDGs? What data sources are available for measuring an indicator? What efforts are still needed to formulate recommendations and stimulate change?. Speakers Guy Berger (Moderator) Director for Freedom of Expression and Media Development Ursula Owusu Ekuful Minister of Communications of Ghana Kwami Ahiabenu, II Founder and President - Penplusbytes Juliet Nanfuka Journalist - CIPESA Moctar Yedaly Head Information Society Division - African Union Babatunde Okunoye Research Officer - Paradigm Initiative Karin Karlekar Director - PEN America’s free expression at risk programme and Council member - IFEX Constance Bommelaer de Leusse Senior Director - Global Internet Policy and International Organizations
12:45 to 14:15	Closed Meeting JSRN Lunch Meeting Organizer: CFOM (University of Sheffield) Venue: Kempinski Restaurant Format: Closed Meeting
12:45 to 14:15	Parallel Session 12 (Lunch session - by invitation only) Fighting Fakes - the Nordic Way Organizer: Nordic Council \| Venue: Siam \| Format: Lunch Roundtable (by invitation only) Propaganda, lies, disinformation and fake factory stories are threats against the credibility of media A Lunch roundtable Propaganda, lies, disinformation and fake factory stories are threats against the credibility of media and create hostility against journalism leading to threats and unsafety conditions. We can and shall fight back by the lead of media industry itself through high ethical standards and self-regulatory mechanisms. The Nordic Council of Ministers focus on fakes in a booklet urging for * Media and Information Literacy not only in the educational system but widespread in the society * Strong focus on ethics and self-regulatory entities - respected by any authority * Optimizing of quality in media including support of financial sustainable media Responsible for the round table: Per Lundgren, senior advisor, Nordic Council of Ministers Mogens Blicher Bjerregård, freelance, member of the IPDC Bureau Participants 15-20 invited based on gender balanced experts from the Nordics, from international organisations and from regional organisations in Africa
13:00 to 14:00	Film Screening Courage - Journalism is not a crime Organizer: IMS \| Venue: Adlon Ballroom 3 \| Format: Film screening Courage - Journalism is not a crime Across the world, journalists are being killed, harassed and imprisoned for carrying out critical or investigative journalism. Still, many carry on reporting. This is the story of three such journalists. Lawi Weng from The Irrawaddy in Myanmar, Erdem Gül from Cumhuriyet in Turkey and Emin Huseynov from Azerbaijan all went to prison for doing their job. All are devoted to journalism, but under immense pressure by repressive governments because they seek to reveal what those in power wish to hide. They face torture, jail and the threat of death, but continue their fight in the name of democracy with one thing in common. They have courage - because journalism is not a crime. The film has a duration of 44 minutes and features interviews with organisations such as Reporters without Borders, International Media Support, Global Investigative Journalism Network, and the Organised Crime and Corruption Project. Lunch will be provided outside the room at 12:45.
14:15 to 15:45	Parallel Session 13 Sexual and Gender-based Harassment in the Media Industry Organizer: IWMF \| Venue: Adlon Ballroom 1 \| Format: Storytelling, followed by a moderated discussion Sexual and Gender-based Harassment in the Media Industry Gender-based violence and in particular sexual harassment has been a frequently covered topic in the last months, more and more victims from different industries (such as film, politics, technology) have come forward How significant is the problem of sexual harassment within the media industry? What forms of sexual harassment are media workers experiencing, including online? What are the experiences of LGBTQI journalists? What role has the media played in the #MeToo revelations and how should the media coverage of this issue be assessed? What initiatives exist to assist victims of sexual harassment and violence in the media industry and what more can be done? Speakers Nadine Hoffman (Moderator) Deputy Director - IWMF Rana Ayyub Journalist and Writer Louise Carol Serwaa Donkor Founding Director - Aya Institute for Women, Politics and Media Gwen Lister Journalist, columnist and press freedom activist Stella Paul Independent multimedia journalist Lamia Radi War correspondent
14:15 to 15:45	Parallel Session 14 International Media Organizations: Ensuring effective safety protocols for journalists Organizer: Al Jazeera \| Venue: Adlon Ballroom 2 \| Format: Round table International Media Organizations: Ensuring effective safety protocols for journalists When one thinks of a reporter in danger, the first thought is usually that of the grizzled war correspondent, taking notes on the front lines, all the while smoking a cigarette. The reality is that war correspondents are not the only ones dodging bullets and shrapnel. Around the world, journalists are being murdered, kidnapped, arrested, harassed, stalked, raped, or attacked while on the job. (Ask anyone covering a protest or a sports celebration.) All too often, journalists either don’t make it to work, or never come home, just because someone doesn’t like their reporting. It happens too often. The range of risky assignments is broad: Dictatorships, drug cartels, communities in conflict, poachers, or terrorist groups — even the changes in social and cultural relations can put journalists in harm’s way. What can and should newsrooms around the world do to keep their staff safe, especially in places and circumstances where physical safety is usually taken for granted? This panel features a number of top journalism managers who ask their correspondents, reporters, photographers, producers, and technicians to cover the world — sometimes at great personal risk, and sometimes without anticipating they could be harmed. They will share with each other and the audience their key ways of preparing news personnel to protect themselves while in the field— including hostile environment training, carrying contact lists, and cultural education. They will also propose innovative ways to protect news teams, including by using technology, social media, and common sense. Finally these managers will take questions from the audience, which too may have its own ideas on how to make the journalists’ work environment as safe as circumstances permit. It’s a necessary discussion, and one that can help keep the journalists where they want to be: Witnessing the story. Speakers Rosiland Jordan (Moderator) Correspondent on US State and Defence Departments, Al Jazeera Henry Maina Regional Director Eastern Africa, ARTICLE19 Andrew Heslop Director - World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) Paula Slier Middle East Bureau Chief, Russia Today Cherilyn Ireton Executive Director - World Editors Forum, WAN-IFRA Michelle Betz Senior Media Development Consultant Tuverekwevyo Muhindo Wundi Tuve Senior Correspondent - Journaliste en Danger Ruth Kronenburg Director of Operations for Free Press Unlimited Jeremy Dear Deputy General Secretary - International Federation of Journalists El Hadji Abdoulaye Seye Founder of AICA (Agence d’Information et de Communication Africaine)
14:15 to 15:45	Parallel Session 15 Ensuring the Rule of Law and fighting impunity: What role for the judiciary in enhancing freedom of expression in Africa? Organizer: UNESCO \| Venue: Adlon Ballroom 3 \| Format: Panel discussion (French Interpretation provided) Ensuring the Rule of Law and fighting impunity: What role for the judiciary in enhancing freedom of expression in Africa? The objective is to bring together key figures from the judicial institutions of the continent and civil society organizations, to exchange experiences on strengthening the capacities of the judiciary to promote freedom of expression and the safety of journalists. It is especially important to involve the judiciary in the process of enhancing freedom of expression and protecting journalists, as it constitutes a fundamental freedom. This session will aim to facilitate regional capacity building and foster a cooperation between national and regional courts to promote freedom of expression and fight impunity for crimes against journalists. UNESCO’s previous training of judges in Latin America and Africa, through the combination of a MOOC and an on-the ground training, and its scope of expansion in francophone African countries will be an important reference point for discussion and potential plans of action to reinforce capacities of members of the judiciary and civil society. The session will also focus on promoting efforts to better integrate regional standards on freedom of expression, the right to access to public information and safety of journalists through legal training modules across the continent. The agenda of the session will also include a multi-stakeholder approach in raising awareness on the role of the judiciary in enhancing freedom of expression and effectively communicating on the role and the decisions taken by the African Court on Human & People’s Rights and the ECOWAS Court of Justice to the citizenry at large. The session will specifically seek to address the following questions: 1. What is the role of the judiciary in ensuring the rule of law, fighting impunity and enhancing freedom of expression in Africa? 2. How can the African legal framework on human rights be strengthened and the decisions of the courts on freedom of expression be applied by judges at the national level? 3. What initiatives can be launched to reinforce the capacities and awareness of multiple stakeholders (including judicial officers, civil society members, lawyers, law enforcement personnel etc.) on issues of freedom of expression and journalists’ safety? Speakers Sylvie Coudray (Moderator) Chief of Section for Freedom of Expression - UNESCO Jerome Traore President - ECOWAS Court of Justice Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza Justice in the Supreme Court of Uganda William Atuguba Justice in the Supreme Court of Ghana Lucy Freeman Chief Executive Officer - Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI) Anneke Meerkotter Litigation Director - Southern Africa Litigation Centre Madieyna Bakhoum Diallo Deputy Director - Centre for Judiciary Training in Dakar Ndey Tapha Sosseh Advisor to the Minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure - The Gambia
14:15 to 17:45	Policy Lab (closed session) National mechanisms for prevention, protection against and prosecution of violence against journalists: emerging models and their effectiveness Organizer: UNESCO, GDN, University of Ghana \| Venue: Stafford \| Format: Policy Lab Policy Lab - National mechanisms for prevention, protection against and prosecution of violence against journalists The conference will for the first time accommodate a Policy Lab, organized in partnership with the University of Ghana and the Global Development Network. This session will offer a unique opportunity for high-quality interactions between researchers and policy actors (broadly understood) who work on a same issue. The topic chosen for this first Policy Lab are national mechanisms for prevention, protection against and prosecution of violence against journalists: emerging models and their effectiveness.
16:15 to 17:45	Film Screening ‘City of Ghosts’ Film Screening ‘City of Ghosts’ Venue: Siam \| Format: Film screening Film Screening ‘City of Ghosts’ This documentary follows the founding members of “Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently,” an organization of Syrian citizen journalists, as they struggle to report from the besieged town of Raqqa. The young activists risk their lives in trying to provide information on the crimes committed by ISIS against the people of Raqqa. The award-winning director Matthew Heinemann follows the lives of these brave young citizens. The film will be screened in the presence of Feras Hanosh and Hussam Eesa, founding members of the initiative Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently. In a 30 minute Q&A session the audience is invited to interact with the two journalists. (2017, dir. Matthew Heineman) Speakers Hussam Eesa Public Relations Manager - Raqqa is being slaughtered silently Firas Alnosh Founder and trainer - Free Journalism Academy
16:15 to 17:45	Parallel Session 16 Changing the Gaze: Repositioning Africa through Press Photography and Videography Organizer: World Press Photo \| Venue: Adlon Ballroom 1 \| Format: Panel discussion Changing the Gaze: Repositioning Africa through Press Photography and Videography Visual narratives of “Africa” have conventionally represented the continent as a singular place in negative terms. Lack of diversity is a serious problem in visual journalism, both in terms of who produces the stories and the types of stories produced. The perspectives of indigenous visual journalists have too often been unheard or marginalized when it comes to representing “Africa.” Today, however, a new group of African visual journalists and storytellers are challenging the established narratives. This panel discussion will address these issues by presenting the work of four visual journalists from different countries in Africa, consider how they challenge the conventional narrative, discuss the state of visual journalism in Africa, and review the growing number of local and international initiatives to elevate the voices of visual journalists from Africa. The discussion will be moderated by World Press Photo Foundation Managing Director Lars Boering. Speakers Lars Boering (Moderator) Managing Director - World Press Photo Nana Kofi Acquah Photographer Laeila Adjovi Photographer and visual artist Nii Obodai Photographer Sarah Waiswa Photographer
16:15 to 17:45	Parallel Session 17 New Threats to Journalism: Artificial Intelligence, Bots, Trolls Organizer: RSF \| Venue: Adlon Ballroom 2 \| Format: Storytelling followed by a panel discussion New Threats to Journalism: Artificial Intelligence, Bots, Trolls However press freedom enemies develop new ways of censorship on those platforms: 1) to extend their propaganda and disinformation 2) to muzzle independent medias (users’ account shutdowns, surveillance, cyber harassment) Women journalists are all the more on the frontline as they suffer gender based violence on the internet. Trolls, bots, AI, cyber soldiers become the new information mercenaries, serving those that pose a threat to press freedom. GAFA sometimes honour States’ abusive demands of censorship, without any public justification or accountability. This panel will thus discuss : What are the new means to censor journalists online? How to hold States accountable for using or not opposing such new methods of censorship? Are GAFA complicit in censoring? How to fight trolls, bots, and other online threats without being censors? How to give citizen journalists ways to resist such attacks? How to specifically address gender-based violence online? Speakers S ophie Busson (Moderator) Head of Advocacy - Reporters Without Borders Alberto Escorcia Mexican human rights defender and internet activist Angelina Huynh Advocacy Director - Viet Tan Samantha Bradshaw Researcher Kinna Likiman Director of Special Program - Odekro Michelle Ferrier Associate Professor - E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, Ohio University
16:15 to 17:45	Parallel session 18 Promoting Journalists’ Safety and Countering Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists in Africa Organizer: MFWA \| Venue: Adlon Ballroom 3 \| Format: Panel discussion (French interpretation provided) Promoting Journalists’ Safety and Countering Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists in Africa Over the years, several Journalists and media workers in Africa have been killed in the line of duty. Others have suffered various forms of violations ranging from physical attacks, arbitrary arrests and detentions, enforced disappearance and destruction of equipment. Beyond the actual violations, journalists working in Africa continue to face several threats on a daily basis. Unfortunately, acts of violence perpetrated against journalists and media workers often go unpunished. This fosters a culture of impunity for crimes against journalists which ends up emboldening perpetrators and encouraging others to commit similar crimes. With the continued existence and application of repressive speech laws, increasing acts of violence against journalists by political party vigilante groups and an ever increasing threat posed by fundamentalists groups across the continent, journalists on the continent need more protection and safety guarantees. This session will thus discuss the threats and challenges to the safety of journalists in Africa and explore ways of improving the safety of journalists including fighting against impunity for crimes against journalists in Africa. Guiding questions: What are some of the key threats to journalists in Africa today? What have been some of the most innovative, effective and impactful ways of promoting journalists safety in Africa? How has the emergence and activities if fundamentalists groups impacted the safety of journalists in Africa What are the gendered aspects of safety of journalists? Do female journalists have peculiar challenges when it comes of safety of journalists in Africa? Are there any new or emerging threats? Going forward, what should stakeholders do to improve the conditions of journalists’ safety in Africa? What specific action points are we recommending to key stakeholders to improve the safety of journalists? Speakers Zoe Titus (Moderator) Strategic Coordinator - Namibia Media Trust (NMT) Vivian Affoah Senior Programme Officer - Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) Moses Magoola Programme Manager - Human Rights Network for Journalists Tuverekwevyo Muhindo Wundi Tuver Senior Correspondent - Journaliste en Danger (JED) Tsedale Lemma Member of the International Advisory Board of the Bandung Journal of the Global South
18:30 to 19:30	Closing Session Adoption of the Accra Declaration Venue: Adlon Ballroom Adoption of the Accra Declaration Speakers Getachew Engida Deputy Director-General, UNESCO Mustapha Abdul-Hamid Minister of Information of the Republic of Ghana Dareen Abughaida News-anchor - Al Jazeera English
20:00 to 22:00	Closing Dinner Closing Dinner offered by Al Jazeera Venue: Mövenpick Hotel Restaurant (by invitation only) Closing remarks by Tirso Dos Santos, Head of Office and Representative, UNESCO Accra

Social Media

World Press Freedom Day 2018

Programme

Registration (for all participants)

World Press Freedom Day Opening Ceremony

Plenary 1

Informal Meeting of Donors

Parallel Session 1

Parallel Session 2

Parallel Session 3

Academic Conference - Panel A

Parallel Session 6

Academic Conference - Panel B

Parallel Session 4

Parallel Session 5

Parallel Session 7

UNESCO / Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize Ceremony and Gala Dinner

Registration (for all participants)

Plenary Session 2

Academic Conference - Panel C

Parallel Session 9

Parallel Session 10

Parallel Session 8

Parallel Session 11

Closed Meeting

Parallel Session 12 (Lunch session - by invitation only)

Film Screening

Parallel Session 13

Parallel Session 14

Parallel Session 15

Policy Lab (closed session)

Film Screening ‘City of Ghosts’

Parallel Session 16

Parallel Session 17

Parallel session 18

Closing Session

Closing Dinner