“Recognise Community Media in Cyprus” the message as international conference draws to a close

A declaration on the importance of community media for Cyprus was endorsed by the General Assembly of the Community Media Forum Europe (CMFE), attended by over 50 organisations, representing 18 countries from across Europe. The declaration, championed by the Cyprus Community Media Centre (CCMC), was presented at the closing plenary of the CMFE Annual Conference, on Saturday 19 November. The declaration calls on different actors across Cyprus to create an enabling environment for Community Media on the island. In particular, it calls on the relevant authorities to ‘recognise Community Media as a distinct sector, operating in a pluralistic media landscape alongside public and commercial media’, and also to ‘make analogue and digital television and radio frequencies available to Community Media with awareness of the social value they provide’.

CCMC's second podcast on CyBC Radio 2 tonight!

Investigative Journalism Session: Call to Journalists

As part of the two-day International Conference on the Right of Access to Information, there will be a special session aimed at journalists on  'Investigative Journalism, Data Journalism, Conflict, and the Search for the Truth'. The session will take place on Tuesday 22 November from 12:00-13:50 at the Home for Cooperation opposite Ledra Palace in Nicosia. The panel, put together with support from the Collaborative Media Initiative of the CCMC, will include keynote speeches from Sevgül Uludağ, investigative journalist in Politis and Yenidüzen and Andreas Paraschos, chief editor of Kathimerini. The right of access to information has been recognised as part of the fundamental right of freedom of expression. It is an essential tool for journalists, who should be free to access information without fear of reprisals from either government censors or private actors. The role of journalists in a democratic society, the need for journalists to have access to information from public bodies, safety of journalists and respect media freedom will be explored.

Keynotes: Journalists and the Right to Truth:

»     Sevgül Uludağ, Investigative Journalist in Politis and Yenidüzen

»     Andreas Paraschos, Chief Editor of Kathimerini

Discussants: Journalists and access to information

»     Mar Cabra

»     Michael Simopoulos

»     Simon Bahçeli

The afternoon sessions will include a practical workshop on access to information laws and the practical techniques for obtaining and using information, led by international experts. For the full schedule click here. 

Final word from the CMFE Conference!

The Community Media Forum Europe conference drew to a close on Saturday 19 November after an inspiring and motivational three days. The conference concluded with the announcement of the Cyprus Community Media Declaration, endorsed by the CMFE General Assembly. The declaration sets out Cyprus community media’s foundational elements, and presents a guide to the island's community media and the broad spectrum of its remit and duties. "We believe community media is a positive force for reconciliation in Cyprus," said Michalis Simopoulos of CCMC, addressing the delegates. "I want to call on the people we want to work with, in particular the authorities, to recognise community media, embrace it as a grassroots movement and a distinct sector that transcends boundaries. And to support it. We call on the media to embrace community media as a potential force for positive change which enriches debate and provides alternative perspectives." On behalf of the CMFE board, CCMC staff and supporters, and everyone involved in the conference we would like to thank you for participating, in person or virtually, and look forward to CMFE 2012! You can view updates, quotes and photos from the event here: www.cmfe2011.posterous.com.