The European Parliament and the European Commission are organising a seminar for journalists on the current situation in the Arab Spring countries from 4 to 6 June in Brussels. The topics of debate include: EU action in response to developments in the region, freedom of expression and the media situation in the countries concerned, as well as the role played by women in the transition processes.
Representatives of the EU institutions will take part, but a notable feature will be the presence of journalists and bloggers from several of the countries affected by the Arab Spring. Journalists from the EU Member
States as well as the Brussels press corps will also be invited.
The seminar begins at the Parliament, with three debates between panellists and the invited journalists. The first panel, of MEPs and Commission representatives, will look at action taken by the EU in general and the European Parliament in particular in response to developments in the region. Freedom of expression and the media situation in the Arab Spring countries will be the subject of the second debate, with a panel of MEPs and journalists; and women’s rights and the role played by women in the events of the last two years are the focus of the final panel of MEPs and guest speakers.
In addition to the European Parliament’s programme, the European Commission is organising three complementing sessions in conjunction with the European Journalism Centre to highlight media coverage of the region, and the role social media played in the Arab Spring.
Journalists will spend the final two half days, 5-6 June, participating in a programme that will raise important issues with EU stakeholders, other journalists from various media outlets, bloggers, and NGOs.
These interactive sessions will provide visiting journalists the opportunity to take part in discussions, debates, and most importantly to pose their questions directly to Brussels-based decision-makers and learn from the experiences of their peers. A panel discussion focused on the differences of media coverage of the Arab Spring, including citizen journalism, will kick off the afternoon session on 5 June.
The final day will begin by putting journalists face-to-face with a high-ranking EU official and expert of the Southern Mediterranean region, allowing for an engaging on-the-record exchange of questions and answers.
The seminar will conclude with a session on social media and its perceived influence on the Arab Spring. The diverse panel will debate whether new media was the catalyst of social change, and how social media was used to report the events by the mainstream media.
As part of its response to the events of the ‘Arab Spring’, the European Commission is launching a new €17 million programme for the Southern Mediterranean region aimed at reinforcing the sectors of media and culture as vectors of development.
The EU regional Programme on Media and Culture for development in the Southern Mediterranean region is intended to enhance the institutional framework for media and culture and support civil society actions. This will reinforce them as vectors of freedom of expression and contributors to sustainable economic development.
The programme will also enhance the independence of the media in the region, complementing existing trainings for journalists and supporting Mediterranean partners in their reflexion on the optimal regulation of the media and the media legislation. (EU Neighbourhood Info)
