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Arab Free Press Forum

Title

Arab Free Press Forum

Visual

Introduction to Programme

Download the full programme here

Themes

For 2013 we will build on the previous five editions of the Forum and take it to a new, innovative level that will see expert discussions followed by focused, interactive, outcome-based workshops on a diverse range of themes and issues, and with a particular emphasis on including female speakers and trainers as well as case studies from women-owned, operated or led media organisations. The emphasis will be on underlining the importance of ‘independence’ for both the newsroom/editorial line and wider business operations, in order to provide the most favourable conditions for the freedom of the press.

In each Forum session a range of themes will examine particular areas of concern to the independent Arab press, and through a diverse programme we aim to take a holistic look at the entire media eco-system, highlighting the inter-connected nature of each element and promoting strategies aimed at strengthening independence:

1: Professional standards to strengthen editorial autonomy

Strategies for establishing credible news and regaining public trust, particularly in critical or crisis situations
Practicing ethical journalism and ensuring editorial quality while maintaining independence
Local and hyper-local news models
Utilising citizen journalism and social media in news production
Education and training – addressing the critical needs of next generation news producers; ensuring best practice in today’s newsrooms

2: Sustainable businesses key to independence of professional media

Integrating and monetising social media and video in the newsroom
Issues surrounding the viability and sustainability of modern publishing houses
New revenue and business models for media outlets
Approaching investors and funders with a viable business plan
Self-regulation and codes of ethics
Advertising – access to/distribution of, alternative models for future growth
Examining the pluralised structure of news – choosing the right model for success

3: Innovation

Content evolution and business development strategies
Issues surrounding audience engagement via digital platforms
New technologies and their impact on the newsroom

4: Legislative barriers to independence

Identifying restrictive legislation and examining the legal reforms necessary
Constitutional guarantees for the freedom of the press
Case studies on utilising Freedom on Information and/or Access to Information laws / Advocating for the introduction of FOI legislation

5: Safety

Discussion on the UN Action Plan on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity
Implementing safety protocols in the newsroom; ensuring top-down buy-in for the protection of journalists

Sunday 24 November – Tuesday 26 November 2013

Tunis, Tunisia

Time

Programme

15.00

Session 1 6.30pm

Day 1, Sunday 24 November

Participant arrival and registration

Networking Café & NGO consultations.

Opening cocktail reception at Golden Tulip Hotel.

Exhibition of Tunisian Cartoonists

9:00am

Day 2, Monday 25 November

Registration and Networking Café

Morning tea served

Session 2

10.00am

OPENING: WAN-IFRA Press Freedom Film

Introduction: Larry Kilman, Deputy CEO and Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs, WAN-IFRA

Session 3

10.20am

Opening Expert Conversation

Session title: Burning Issues for the Independent Arab Press

Ethics and professionalism – from owners to journalists, professionalization across the entire media industry
Business and innovation – moving the industry forward while securing its future
Legislation and barriers to greater freedoms – where should advocacy be focused?
Independence – what does it mean, what are its key components, and how do we measure it?
Training and education – encouraging young professionals, ensuring quality and excellence

Moderator:

Courtney Radsch, UNESCO programme specialist

Speakers:

Omar Belhouchet, Publisher, El Watan Algeria
Rana Sabbagh, Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism
Kamel Labidi, Vigilance, Tunisia
Tarek Atia, Egyptian Media Development Programme

Session 4

12.00pm

Storyful: How to separate fact and fiction online – is it news or is it noise?

Malachy Browne, News Editor, Storyful

12.30pm

Lunch

Session 5

1.40pm

Session title: The Media Ecosystem – Ensuring Independence and Survival

Learning from hyper-localisation, connecting better with audiences, delivering successful content
Differences within the modern information structure - choosing the right platform for news delivery
Utilising social media and citizen journalism in news production
Using satire to tell your story

Moderator: Tarek Atia, Egyptian Media Development Programme

Speakers:

Sami Ben Gharbia, naawat.org
Leila Nachawati, Syria Untold, Professor of Communications at Carlos III University Madrid
Nicolas Beau, Editor, Bakchich
Fatemah Farag Founder and Director, Welad Elbalad Media Services

Included in this session:
Monetizing Social Media - A Mini Master-class, which will introduce innovative ways to monetize social media and contribute to the sustainability of independent media. Through a series of case studies, UNESCO expert Courtney Radsch will provide practical tips for leveraging the full potential of social media

3.45pm

Break

Session 5

16h00

Ethics and Self Regulation – the keys to a successful independent press.

Addressing legislative barriers; advocating for self-regulation and promoting strong professional ethics to empower quality investigative journalism

Moderator:

Aidan White, Ethical Journalism Network

Speakers:

Najiba Hamrouni, General Secretary of the Tunisian Journalists’ Union
Hisham Almiraat, Global Voices Advocacy Director and co-founder of TalkMorocco and Mamfakinch
Ragaei al-Merghany, General Coordinator of the National Coalition for Freedom of the Media

Dr Naglaa El-Emary is with Shorouknews.com and is a Publisher of articles and studies in media.

6.00pm

6:30 - 7:30pm

Networking Café

StoryMaker Master-Class

Interested in mobile technology and digital storytelling? Come join the StoryMaker Masters Class. Open to journalists, bloggers, techies and everyone interested in telling stories through their mobile phones

8.00am – 9:30am

Day 3 Tuesday 25 November

Networking Café

9.30am

Presentation of WAN-IFRA’s new report - Online Commenting: Emerging Best Practices

Larry Kilman, WAN-IFRA

Session 7

10.00am

Opening Expert Conversation:

Title: Media in transitional democracies: Is their role to report the news or lead the news agenda through activism?

Moderator: Riadh Ferjani

Speakers:

Fatimah el-Issawi, research fellow at POLIS, London School of Economics
David Hoffman, Founder and President Emeritus Internews, author of "Citizens Rising: Independent Journalism and the Spread of Democracy"
Magdi Abdelhadi, Freelance journalist and former Arab affairs analyst for the BBC
Rami Jarrah, Award-winning citizen journalist and founder of the ANA New-Media Association.

11:30am

Coffee Break

Session 8

12:00 pm

Under Surveillance - A “Mini Master-class” with Alan Pearce.

Journalism has been transformed by the Internet and the Internet has opened journalists to levels of surveillance that would have horrified George Orwell. All journalists should be aware of the dangers they face in the digital world – the emerging battleground. This workshop will take an in depth practical view about how to safeguard sources and information.

* Please bring your laptop

For those not wishing to take part in this workshop, the networking café is open and this is a great time to meet with your colleagues.

1:30pm

“Lunch and Learn”

The UN Action Plan on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity

What do independent journalists feel are the main threats? Help inform the UN Action Plan and take steps to implement it in your country. Hosted by Courtney Radsch, UNESCO

Session 9

2.30pm

Canal France Internationale organsied panel: How multi-media newsrooms can enrich your content.

Moderator:

Nour Hemici, Canal France Internationale

Speakers:

Nabil Wakim, Editor-in-Chief, LeMonde.fr
Fathy Abu Hattab, Al Masry Al Youm

3:45pm

Break

Session 10

4:15pm

What next for the Arab Free Press?

Q&A and discussion bringing together the major themes from our debates.

Moderated by: Magdi Abdelhadi, Freelance journalist and former Arab affairs analyst for the BBC

Session 10

5:15 – 5:30pm

6.00pm

6:30-7:30pm

In addition:

Closing Keynote

Networking café

The networking café will continue to be open on the morning of Wednesday 27th November.

StoryMaker Master-Class

Interested in mobile technology and digital storytelling? Come join the StoryMaker Masters Class. Open to journalists, bloggers, techies and everyone interested in telling stories through their mobile phones.

21, 22, 23 November

Ethical Journalism Network

Seminar on ethics for Arab journalists (with Norwegian Institute of Journalism)