HasNa Media Symposium May 2003

Project Journalism for Peace Place Nicosia, Cyprus Date(s) 31 May 2003 Type of participants Journalists, political analysts, academics Number of participants 30 Total Duration 4 hours Link(s) []

This innovative media conference has been organized in the context of the Journalism for Peace project. Thirty high-profile Cypriot journalists have been invited to participate in a full-day long interactive, closed-doors process composed of two separate symposia.

aiming the adaptation, improvement and modernization of θεσμών and practice of journalism in Cyprus especially in the context of the anticipated solution of the Cyprus problem and the inclusion of Cyprus in the European Union.

The meeting was organized by the HasNa Cyprus Office, which operates under the Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute and is sponsored by HasNa Inc. (Washington DC), which sponsors programs in many countries that promote peace and reconciliation.

The organization was in line of the wider vision of active citizens and non governmental organizations to contribute towards the stronger participation of citizens in issues of concern, in the improvement of communication between society and citizens and centers of power and the encouragement of mechanisms of management of the 'common" (i.e., for self-criticism, reflection, self-regulation and continuous improvement and advancement.

ενθάρρυνση των μηχανισμών διαχείρισης των κοινών (δηλαδή των εκτελεστικών, νομοθετικών και εποπτικών εξουσιών) για αυτοσκόπηση, αυτοκριτική και συνεχή αναβάθμιση.

Besides Dr. Yiannis Laouris Chair of the Board of Future Worlds Center, the conference was addressed by Marios Karoyian, press representative of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Peristianis, President of the Cyprus Association of Social Scientists and Director of Intercollege and Neofytos Epaminondas, Director of Cyprus Radio-Television Authority.

The meeting was composed of two separate symposia designed in the spirit of the ancient greeks with the participants having equal and ample opportunities to deliberate, exchange views and discuss relevant issues in depth.

The first symposium had as triggering question, "Do Cypriot media adopt the role of marionettes of the decision centers and play the role of the Yιοθετούν τα Kυπριακά MME το ρόλο της μαριονέτας των κέντρων αποφάσεων και του μαριονετίστα της κοινής γνώμης; " Lefteris Adeilinis, Chief editor of SIGMA introduced the subject and coordinated the discussion between the panel and the particpants. The preliminary contributions were made by the panel, which was composed by Yiannis Antoniou]], Editor at Fileleftheros Newspaper, Andreas Hadjikyriako]], Head of News at MEGA and George Pavlides, Chief editor at Astra. Following a 60-min constructive exchange of views and opinions with the participantsm the two analysts presented scientific knowledge and evidence of the issues, practical angles and documented the convergent view of the process. Furthernore they offered stimulation for the imp,emendation of the symposium with aim the creative interchange of ideas and their evolution into practical best practices aiming the development and modernization of journalism in Cyprus. As Analysts, were Prof. Niki Katsaouni, Associate Professor at the Department of Journalism at Frederick and Mr. Neofytos Epaminondas, Director of Cyprus Radio-Television Authority.

The focus of the symposia was the explore whether the media cover the news in objective and transparent way, the possible conflicts of interests when journalists have also other roles in society as well as the conflict between a service for the propel versus a profession. The issue of self-regulation and the degree of autonomy from the owners and from the percentage coverage were considered and discussed.

The question whether the Cyprus media are marionnettes of decision making centers and also treat their public as mariannettes, was considenred by each participant separately who provided their analysis as well as enriched their responses with their personal experiences and beliefs.

The second snposium, Journalistic transparancy clear from rasist and nationalist promotion" analyzed among other types of racism and nationalism currently present in Cypriot message transmitters. The contributions of the participants focused also on the peculiarities and tips of racism and nationalism expressed in the context of the relations between Turkish and Greek Cypriots, especially following the opening of the gates.

This symposium was coordinated by Costakis Constantinou, head of the journalism department of Frederick as well as political editor of Xaravgi. The panel was composed by Andreas Paraschos, Head Editor of Politis Newspaper, Nicos Prokommenos, Chief Editor of ANT1 Radio, Pambos Charalambous, Political Editor for Alitheia Newspaper. The following personalities served as analysts: Joseph Joseph, Chair of the Departmet of Political and Social Science of the University of Cyprus and Νiyazi Kizilyurek, historian at the Department of Turkish Studies, of also at the University of Cyprus.

The following have been achieved

• Προώθηση της διαφάνειας και της εφαρμογής του κώδικα δημοσιογραφικής δεοντολογίας
• Επιμόρφωση του πολίτη, πολιτικών, και πρωταγωνιστών στους τομείς της ενημέρωσης για δημιουργική αναθεώρηση των επιλογών καταγραφής, προβολής, μετάδοσης και παρακολούθησης των πληροφοριών.
• κσυγχρονισμός της δημοσιογραφίας μέσω της αποκάλυψης των αιτιών ύπαρξης και τεχνικών προώθησης του εθνικισμού και ρατσισμού

Sponsors

The conference was sponsored by the following:

• HasNa Inc. (sponsored the organizers)
• Youth Board (Official Sponsor)
• Youth Promoting Peace
• Tech4Peace
• Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute
• Cençlik Merkezi Youth Center

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  Press Release