Fighting Back: Challenges and Opportunities for the Arab Press
World Association of Newspapers
in partnership
with An-Nahar newspaper
and with the support of
Sunday 9 December 2007
10:00 - 12:30
Opening Ceremony at Biel International Exhibition Center
(Doors will close at 10:15 for live broadcasting)
In commemoration of the 2nd anniversary of the assassination of Gebran Tueni, an outstanding press freedom advocate, the World Association of Newspapers and An-Nahar newspaper are pleased to invite you to the 2nd Annual Gebran Tueni Award.
This year's ceremony is dedicated to the youth and the challenges it faces.
National anthem
Nayla Tueni, Member of the Board and Deputy General Manager of An-Nahar newspaper
Documentary and testimonies: Gebran and the Youth
Antoine Choueiry, Owner and CEO of Choueiry Group
Documentary: Achievements of the first shadow government and New shadow ministers
Mrs. Magida Al Roumi: "Enough"
Ghassan Tueni, CEO and Publisher of An-Nahar newspaper
Timothy Balding, CEO, World Association of Newspapers
Presentation of 2nd Annual Gebran Tueni Award
13:00 - 15:00
Lunch
15:30 - 18:00
Welcome address by:
Tomas Brunegård, Vice President, World Association of Newspapers and CEO of Stampen Group, Sweden
Session I: "Backsliders and Usual Suspects - the Latest Government Policies that Affect the Press"
This
session will address the recent government clampdown on independent
media in a number of Arab countries, and how these have mobilised in
reaction to this. More specific subject to be addressed is the
manipulation of the judiciary by the authorities to disrupt independent
media outlets and the increased harassment of lawyers that defend
newspapers and journalists.
Moderator: Rohan Jayasekera, Associate Editor, Index on Censorship
Speakers:
Ahmed Reda Benchemsi, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of TelQuel, Morocco
Omar Mestiri, Editor of Kalima, Tunisia
Ziyad Baroud, Attorney at Law, Lebanon
Abdel Vetah Abeidna, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Aqsa, Mauritania
Monday 10 December 2007
09:00 - 11:30
Session II: "Combining Editorial Independence with Commercial Success"
This
session will focus on independent Arab newspapers that have managed to
become profitable yet still uphold their editorial independence and a
critical stance towards the power in place. How did they do it, and how
are they coping with present obstacles and challenges? Four case
studies of newspapers that have succeeded.
Moderator: Hisham Kassem, Publisher, Egypt
Speakers:
Rajeh Khoury, Political Analyst, An-Nahar, Lebanon
Mohamed Alayyan, Publisher of Al Ghad, Jordan
Nadia Al Saqqaf, Editor-in-Chief of the Yemen Times, Yemen
Ali Anouzla, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Massae, Morocco
11:30 - 12:00
Coffee break
12:00 - 14:00
Session III: "Blogs, an Alternative Way of Telling the News"
This
session will address the increased role of blogs and the alternative
news channel they form in the Arab world. What role do they play in
shaping the future of the Arab media landscape? How do they work
compared to the traditional media - and how are they perceived by
these? What do they offer that the traditional media do not?
Moderator: Mahmoud Abdelfattah, Human Rights Lawyer, Egypt
Speakers:
Mohammad Azraq, Blogger, Jordan
Ahmed Al-Omran, Blogger, Saudi Arabia
Wael Abbas, Blogger, Misr Digital blog, Egypt
Wadih Tueni, IT Manager, An-Nahar Newspaper, Lebanon
Ahmad Salman, Deputy General Manager, As-Safir Newspaper, Lebanon
14:00 - 15:00
Lunch
15:00 - 17:30
Session IV: "How to Best Address the Challenges Faced by Newspapers?"
This
session will address the existing structures for independent Arab media
professionals to join forces and develop together. What structures
exist, and what kind of initiatives would truly benefit the Arab
newspaper community? How can international organisations, both
professional and freedom of expression, best assist publishers and
journalists in the region?
Moderator: Biljana Tatomir, Deputy Director, OSI Network Media Program
Speakers:
Rafik Khoury, Editor-in-Chief, Al Anwar Newspaper, Lebanon
Kamel Hassan, Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, Syria
Said Essoulami, Director, Center for Media Freedom (CMF MENA), Morocco
Abdelrahim Abdallah, Journalism Unit Coordinator, Media Institute/Birzeit University, Palestine
17:30 - 18:00
Final debate and closing remarks
Timothy Balding, CEO, World Association of Newspapers
