Kevin Bankston will speak on a panel entitled Journalism “Ethics in Transitional Situations” at the World Press Freedom Day Conference
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Time
Description: Changing mindsets is essential in times of transition. Journalists in transitional situations,who were used to deliver government-friendly information and were accustomed to self-censorship, are faced with the challenge of changing their editorial habits. Holding governments and powerful institutions accountable, and adopting the methods of investigative journalism are essential tasks in a new media context. Media must develop their role of watchdogs respecting ethical principles in accordance with international standards.
Moderator: Patrick H. LEUSCH, Head of Project Development Division, DW Akademie
Panel:
Aidan WHITE, Coalition for Ethical Journalism
Angela SIRBU, former Director, TV Moldova 1, Moldova
Atidel MEJBRI, The Center of Arab Woman for Training and Research (CAWTAR), Tunisia
Bechir OUARDA, Director, Observateur de la déontologie des médias, Tunisia
Celso SCHRODER, President of the Federation of Latin American and Caribbean Journalists (FEPALC)
Kevin BANKSTON, Senior Counsel & Free Expression Director, Center for Democracy & Technology, USA
Omar Faruk OSMAN, President, Federation of African Journalists (FAJ)
Sample questions:
- How can journalists help counter corruption within media (such as “brown envelopes”) and transform professional attitudes in the media sector and develop trust among the audience?
- What measures need to be implemented both by the public authorities and by media organizationsin order to promote independent quality journalism?
- How ensure that changes in editorial practices in a new media landscape are actually taking place?
- Ethics and covering sensitive subject matter (sexuality, religion)