Amman: December 5- 7
Centre for Defending Freedom of Journalists
The forum is organized by the Amman based Centre for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ), which daily supports persecuted journalists with legal aid all over the Arab world. This week, CDFJ has brought over a hundred journalists, bloggers and activists together in Amman to establish networks and consolidate efforts to promote freedom of expression in the region.
CDFJ, said in a press release this morning that they “hope the participants will suggest plans to streamline and unify the efforts of media freedom defenders in the Arab region, propose work mechanisms to address press freedom violations, coordinate the efforts of international institutions active in the field of press freedom, and support efforts calling for the endorsement of an international agreement to protect press freedom.”
Freedom of Expression
Supporting the freedom of expression is a first priority in Norway’s human rights policy. With the ongoing Arab Spring, the issue is higher on the agenda than ever before. The Norwegian Embassy is therefore excited to support this timely and important conference.
“Freedom of expression does not only allow people to express themselves freely, it is also essential for fostering mutual understanding and tolerance, good governance and conflict resolution. A well functioning media society holds the authority and the government accountable. It has the ability to empower vulnerable, voiceless groups and create a critical public debate. This is why we pushed for a strengthening of the protection of human rights defenders in the UN General Assembly earlier this fall, and that is why we are so eager to support this conference ” said Petter Ølberg as he opened the forum this morning.
Different perspectives on the Arab Spring
The first session of the conference included panel of seven female bloggers, journalists and activists from Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Tunis and Palestine. Each panelist shared their individual experience from the Arab Spring with narratives ranging from violent repression in Yemen, to comedic histories from Egypt’s Tahrir Square and an impromptu performance of Egyptian revolutionary slogans.
Read more:
Jordan Times
Jordan Times
Petra News Agency
Al Arab Alyum