Doha
15 May 2017
(NHRC)

Arab Network and United Nations Agencies Celebrate World Press Freedom Day 2017 in Doha
 
The Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions (Doha), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Doha and the Center for Training and Documentation for Southwest Asia and the Arab Region of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights organized a seminar on ” Fair Comprehensive Peace “on the occasion of the celebration of World Press Freedom Day on May 15, 2017.

45 participants including media, human rights, United Nations agencies and academia attended.

Three panel discussions held subjects including central role of freedom of expression, the right to access information to achieve the goals of sustainable development, in particular Goal 16 of the goals of sustainable development, which focuses on building peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, Effective and accountable institutions at all levels.

In his inaugural speech, Sultan Bin Hassan Al-Jamali, Executive Director of the Network, stressed the constructive role played by the press in building societies, calling for continuing its vital role in combating societies of peace, love and brotherhood. Al-Jamali noted the efforts of the Arab Network represented by its members from national institutions during the past period, in the framework of promoting freedom of opinion and expression and against the hate speech, which strengthens the position of the free press.

The Arab Network has worked through its members to promote and protect human rights Including the right to freedom of opinion and expression as a fundamental right, by technically enabling these institutions to contribute more effectively to the process of protecting and promoting human rights in their countries, such as enhancing their capacity to monitor and prepare monitoring reports and document violations T affect the civil and political rights, stressing that the priority of the protection of any right is to monitor, detect violations, advertising and organization reports to enable them based on the protection of this right to address such violations.
 
Anna Paulini, UNESCO Representative to the Arab States in the Gulf and Yemen said, “As we celebrate World Press Freedom Day, we have to look to ourselves as agents of change: each of us has a role to play, because each of us has a role to play. Good journalism and the right to information are central to the achievement of sustainable development goals, which together constitute a precondition for combating serious economic disparities, climate change and promoting women’s rights, reflecting the degree of transparency within society. ”
 
The first panel discussion focused on the role of the media and the eradication of media illiteracy and information in promoting dialogue. The digital age has revolutionized communications and information and has provided many ways for the public to become a content producer. The media and information literacy effective means of combating misleading information over the Internet by enabling media users access to knowledge and use of appropriate tools to browse the Internet and interpret information clearly.

“We must recognize the different messages we face in our daily lives in different ways, and distinguish between freedom of expression on the basis of mutual respect and a speech of intentional hatred,” said Ahmed al-Mohannadi, a teacher and expert on media illiteracy and informatics. the freedom to express ourselves through constructive criticism and dialogue aimed at the media, we can solve the many problems, and will contribute to the establishment of the media role as an engine for dialogue and peace in all societies. ”
 
The second panel discussed legal freedom of expression, best practices and approaches to combating hate speech in the media and measures that could be taken by the media, legislative bodies, civil society organizations and other relevant institutions to ensure that the media remains a platform for dialogue and understanding. George Abu Zuluf Director of Training and Documentation Office of the United Nations confirmed in Doha on the significant role played by the World Organization in the process of promoting freedom of opinion and expression and activating the role Asahvae to build a stable and secure societies. “When we talk about freedom of the press, we are talking about our freedom, pointing out that the professional, honest and honest media are the key to promoting peace, justice and citizenship in the region,” Zulf said.

The participants in the third seminar discussed the role of social media and the importance of media literacy and media literacy in education and youth awareness of the need to use the media to understand, analyze, and especially social media in a responsible manner and clear.

The workshop also tackled the initiatives that were implemented to enhance the positive role of the media among young people. “Encouraging young people to use the media as a platform for dialogue is very important, enabling them to express their ideas without harm,” said Al-Hajri. Anyone, where social networking platforms are the only space that gives everyone a chance to share their opinions, should not try to control what others write or say if they do not match their ideas and beliefs. Some do not Parking individuals against some”.