Roadmap to Media Freedom successfully defined!

The two-day World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) celebration organized by CIJ concluded successfully with a remarkable increase in participation and interest in media freedom issues among the public. They came and asked questions, engaged with our fellow panelists during the two rounds of talks, filled up all slots on the signature sheets for the WPFD petition, spoke up on what they aspired for the media in their messages on the wall and in the "annoymous" box, and grabbed our books and leaflets.

We were heartfelt at the interest and presence of the public at both talks - Towards Ethical Media on May 3 and Towards Media Law Reform on May 4, which attracted on average 100 people each session. Dialogues between stakeholders on media freedom - the main objective for the talk- was achieved. In the first talk, media practitioners explained the conflict between newsroom and the state in upholding ethics, but all is not lost as an editor's personal commitment to ethical practices can still make a difference. In the second talk, the public got a better understanding on what a freedom of information bill and the parliamentary caucus on media freedom, which the Pakatan MPs will initiate- can do to media freedom and what should the people's expectation be for this two instruments.

We thank you for your support and participation and we definitely hope to see all of you again next year. Watch out for this blog for pictures of the Roadmap to come!