Media play a vital role in promoting human rights, democracy and development. A free press is the guardian of the rightful use of power. Especially in conflict situations, media bear great responsibility for informing the public and raising their awareness in a fair and impartial way at national and international level. But Media can also be misused to manipulate and mobilize people to dehumanise potential victims or to fight others: The notorious role of Radio Mille Collines in inciting the genocide in Ruanda 1994 is a well-known example for that.

Yet the work of journalists is often difficult and dangerous. In many countries, press freedom and freedom of speech are restricted or violated. Intimidation, threats, censorship or even violence are used to silence critical voices. These constitute a fundamental breach of human rights. The scope of media freedom or its repression is a major yardstick for the general human-rights situation in a country. This is why Austria has declared the protection of journalists as a priority concern of its membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Citing the example of South Africa under the apartheid regime, the media freedom activist Raymond Louw illustrates the significance of freedom of expression and what media can do in oppressive regimes and conflictive situations. Raymond Louw, Alison McKenzie, the Executive Director of the International Press Institute (IPI), and Elias Bierdel from Peace Castle Schlaining discuss the different roles media can take in conflicts, and the importance of empowering journalists and strengthening human rights by ensuring objective and impartial reporting

Following the discussion, ADA Managing Director Brigitte Öppinger-Walchshofer invites  participants to a reception as part of the annual conference of the Austrian Development Agency 2012.

Date: 4 July 2012, 16.30 – 18.00 hrs
Venue: Diplomatic Academy, Favoritenstraße 15a, 1040 Vienna

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