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The transition to democracy can only succeed if it creates conditions that are favourable for the emergence of free, independent and pluralistic media.
In Egypt and Tunisia, where more than 90% of households have at least one television set, broadcast media are essential to open dialogue, restore citizens’ faith in their institutions and elicit their participation in public life.
It is against this background that UNESCO, France Télévision and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) are organizing an international conference to support Tunisian and Egyptian broadcasters on 31 May (Room XII, 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.). The meeting will examine the broadcasters’ requirements, be they technical, editorial or legislative. Support initiatives proposed by media corporations, intergovernmental organizations and donors, will be encouraged and coordinated. The meeting will, moreover, highlight both countries’ need to develop a public broadcast service.
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova; the Chief Executive Officer of France Télévisions, Rémy Pflimlin; and the Deputy President of the European Parliament, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, will open the debates, which will be held with the participation of the chief executive officers of Tunisian television, Mokhtar Rassaa; Tunisian radio, Habib Belaïd; and Egyptian broadcasting, Samy El Sherif.
Representatives of public broadcasting services from Belgium, Canada, Croatia, France, Germany, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United Kingdom will also attend the conference. An account of key recommendations made at the conference will be presented at its close, alongside the Action Plan that is to be adopted.
Source: UNESCOPRESS |
