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Madrid, Spain – 26 October 2015 – A four-day roundtable discussion on the challenges facing Libyan media outlets opened today in Casa Arabe Cultural Centre in Madrid.  Attended by twenty managers and owners of Libyan media outlets broadcasting from inside the country as well as the region, discussions will focus on the practical challenges they confront daily in their work, as well as on strategies to develop policies and practices consistent with international best practice, thus reinforcing their contribution to reconciliation and peace in the country.  

The roundtable builds on previous discussions held between Libyan media managers in July 2015 and the declaration of key principles they elaborated at that time.  Inputs from both meetings will contribute to the development of a future code of conduct for Libya media.

Ignacio Ybañez, the Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, noted in his opening remarks that “In all countries, journalists are the eyes through which the citizens understand reality. The participants in the July seminar signed a very important declaration, in which they showed their awareness of this great responsibility”, adding “In Libya, the role of journalists and media executives is of the essence as conveyors of accurate and independent information and promoters of peace.”

 “You are here today because you have understood the important role of the media plays at this critical time and your presence is your commitment to make a difference” stated Michael Croft, UNESCO Representative to Libya, “At the same time we appreciate that you face practical, technical and functional challenges within your outlets that limit your impact.  We are here with our partners to help you develop a common approach to overcome them.”

At the start of the meeting, the participants confirmed their commitment to the recommendations elaborated during the first media managers meeting, but stressed that further support is needed to assist media outlets to successfully incorporate them into daily practice.

This activity is undertaken by UNESCO Tripoli Project Office in partnership with Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and made possible with the generous support of the Embassy of the United States of America and the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  It is part of the Organization’s efforts to reinforce the capacity of Libyan media to contribute to reconciliation and peace in the country as well as to promote freedom of expression and independent media

For more information please contact:

Raja’a El Abasi, Program Officer, UNESCO

r.el-abasi@unesco.org

+216 71 655 000