By Bernama,
ABU DHABI : A conference on ethical journalism, held under the patronage of Vice President and Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has launched a regional ethical journalism initiative.
Emirates news agency (WAM) reported that the initiative was launched Monday by the UAE Journalists Association (UAEJA), in collaboration with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
Participants at the 2-day event included heads of journalists associations and syndicates, editor-in-chiefs, industry experts and media personalities from Arab countries, West Asia and Africa.
“The launching of regional ethical journalism initiative emphasises the fact that journalists are responsible for ethical and accountable media within the freedom of expression guaranteed by the state and by different constitutions,” Mohammed Yousif Abdullah, Chairman of the UAEJA.
He added that the UAEJA, in coordination with the IFJ, will ensure initiative’s dissemination in the different countries of the region.
Monir Zaarour, IFJ’s Middle East Coordinator, said the journalists were still struggling in some parts of the world to get their basic rights.
Speaking on behalf IFJ General Secretary Aidan White, Zaarour announced opening of IFJ office in Manama in April to follow up the programmes proposed under the ethical journalism initiative.
“A regional advisory board will be formed to advise IFJ office and secretariat. It will comprise representatives for the regional associations,” he added.