The International Press Institute (IPI) will be using the occasion of its 65th anniversary to host its 2015 World Congress and General Assembly in Yangon, Myanmar from March 27 to 29, 2015.
IPI is holding the World congress titled “On the Path to a Free Media” in collaboration with a local partner, Mizzima Media.
The Congress offers interested participants the unique chance to interact with senior media professionals as well as prominent politicians, experts and leading members of the world’s media community to learn firsthand about Myanmar’s rapidly changing media landscape and to contribute to the success of its democratic transition.
Sessions at the Congress will include Myanmar and the Road to Freedom; Upholding Media Freedom Through Laws and Practice; Lessons on Conflict-Sensitive Reporting; Advancing Peace – Effective Strategies to Address Hate Speech and The Ethical Coverage of Crisis and Emergencies.
Other sessions expected to be taken include Practical Advice to Producing Good Journalism Using Data; Journalism, a Dangerous Profession: How Do We Stop the Killing of the Messenger? and Women in the Media, a networking brunch discussion.
IPI is inviting participants “to be part of the discussion on how to foment a culture that favours public interest reporting on issues that affect the everyday lives of Myanmar’s people, and which promotes and defends the rights of free expression and access to information.”
Participants will also be taken on tour respected Yangon-based media houses, guided by leading local journalists who will offer their perspective on the past, present and future of Myanmar’s media.
Myanmar is a country in transition with great potential for a more independent press. Following the 1962 coup d’état and for almost 50 years Myanmar’s press was restricted with government’s tight reins that led to long jail terms for many journalists, and forced several others into exile.
