Oct 5, 2009, 14:18 GMT
Amman - Unions of journalists in 15 Arab countries opened a three-day conference on Monday to discuss a variety of issues, including the Ethical Journalism Initiative that was recently adopted by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
The meeting, which is co-sponsored by the IFJ, the German Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the Jordan Press Association (JPA), will review programmes designed to transform the information landscape in a region where governments are sensitive to critical press and where media are constrained by legal and economic pressure.
In an opening address, JPA President Abdul Wahab Zghailat urged the conference to adopt recommendations to 'scandalize Israel's practices in dealing with Palestinian journalists' and to urge the United Nations to lead a campaign for defamation of all countries that encroach on press freedoms.
IFJ President Jim Boumelha said he found 'clear Arab dynamism' inside the IFJ that resists forces trying to threaten press freedoms.
He pointed out that the conference would allow the opportunity for regional press associations to discuss future and its formation.
Boumelha said that the application of the Ethical Journalism Initiative faced obstacles in the region, foremost humiliation practices, detention of journalists, beating and payment of fines.
The conference is scheduled to hold sessions on a campaign to press for women journalists' rights and positive action for gender equality in union structure, media workplaces and to counter media stereotypes of the role of women in society.
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