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Representatives of the journalism profession from the Arab world, West Africa, and the European Union exchanged on “Journalism Useful for Citizens” which participants addressed in 45 thematic panel discussions and public debates, four exhibitions, a book fair and over side events. The aim was to promote journalism that is useful to citizens and to formulate specific proposals to promote quality media content in all participating countries.
The Assises in Tunis are a regional continuation of the Assises Internationales du Journalisme of Tours, France, which for the last 12 years fostered debate among media and the public on the role of journalism in society. This first Tunisian edition was financially and programmatically supported by the OPEN Media Hub implemented by the Thomson Foundation.
To help set up this large event, the OPEN Media Hub has associated with the Tunisian Committee of the Assises, which brings together the Tunisian professional organisations, the Assises founding NGO Journalisme & Citoyenneté (Journalism & Civic Society), and CFI, the French Agency for Media Development, the International Union of the Francophone Press, Reporters without Borders, UNESCO through the EU project NET-MED Youth, Internews and Fondation Hirondelle. Watanayia TV, AFP and France Médias Monde are among media sponsors.
An appeal was made at the end of this convention; “Journalists, publishers and their professional organizations, from thirty countries in the Mediterranean, Europe and Africa, gathered at the first edition of the Assises Internationales du Journalisme de Tunis, launch a solemn appeal to political leaders, officials representatives of trade unions, associations and civil society so that freedom of expression and freedom of the press be defended in their countries as a fragile and valuable asset.”
Other initiative were agreed on, such as a joint efforts by several media from West Africa, Tunisia Algeria and France to create an investigative network. Which will gather journalist to produce news on cross border topics, such as environmental issues, health, religious radicalisation.
A second edition of this biennial event is already planned for the autumn of 2020, on the occasion of the Summit of the Francophone countries’ Heads of State and in relation to the 39th Assises of the Francophone press.
- Johannes Hahn EU commissioner European Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement Negotiations. (in English):
“Information as become the currency and ammunition of the day, reliable and fact base and independent information is key for the stability resilience and democracy in our societies”
- Jerome Bouvier Founder of the International Convention of Journalism (in French):
“ The creation of a network of investigative journalist, there is an existing network in West Africa called west Africa leaks that was operating on its own, and keen to exchange with other investigative journalist in the north, the same in Tunisia, and hence for 3 days they worked together to determine how to cooperate and create a larger network, to achieve investigations such as the Panama Papers or others”
- Ext: Cite de la Culture in Tunis, Tunisia
- Interior: Cite de la Culture in Tunis, Tunisia
- Interviews
- Closing ceremony
19 November 2018
