IPI to hold its 2013 annual World Congress in Amman

The International Press Institute (IPI) today announced that it will hold its 2013 annual world congress in Amman, Jordan, from May 19-21, 2013. Titled “Documenting Change / Empowering Media”, the two-day congress is being organized in cooperation with the Amman-based Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ) and will examine the many challenges, concerns and opportunities facing journalists in a rapidly changing media landscape – not only in the Arab world, but around the globe. Panels will focus on fostering free speech in the Arab world, reporting on religion, the role of women in the media, criminal defamation, promoting and protecting the safety of journalists, and Internet regulation, among other issues. King Abdullah II of Jordan is expected to open the IPI World Congress. Speaking about the decision to hold the congress in Amman, IPI Executive Director Alison Bethel McKenzie said: “We’re delighted to be holding next year’s IPI World Congress in Jordan and that we are organizing our annual event in cooperation with the Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists. “The Arab Spring brought with it many hopes and aspirations, in particular among the millions of young people who so effectively used social media to communicate and raise awareness during the uprisings,” Bethel McKenzie said. “However, as the optimism of the Arab Spring gives way to anxieties about where these changes are taking them, there remain very real press freedom concerns in the region, and we hope to draw attention to these issues during our congress.” The IPI World Congress will also coincide with the 2nd CDFJ Media Freedom Defenders in the Arab World regional conference which will be held over the two days preceding the World Congress. We encourage participants to arrive in Jordan a couple of days before the IPI Congress so that they can also participate in this very interesting event. Nidal Mansour, president of the CDJF, said: “It is our great honor to work with IPI and to host the 62nd IPI World Congress and the General Assembly in Jordan. The IPI Congress is historically considered a cornerstone with a strong impact on supporting media freedoms around the world. CDFJ strongly believes that holding the 62nd IPI Congress in conjunction with CDFJ’s 2nd Forum for Media Freedom Defenders in the Arab World will be a significant milestone in defending and supporting media freedoms in the Arab world and will reduce violations against journalists in the region.” Mansour also added: “Holding the congress in Amman, Jordan, will allow the global media community to examine closely the Jordanian media experience with its weaknesses and strengths. This may assist in addressing the complicated questions raised regarding media freedom, especially online media, after the latest developments in technology and communication tools.”