Mohammed cartoon clash at the 13th World Editors Forum

Posted by Maddie Hanna on June 1, 2006 at 4:33 PM

Lessons from the Mohammed cartoon clash will be the focus of the fifth session of the 13th World Editors Forum, which begins June 4 in Moscow. On 30 September 2005, the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published twelve cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed. Sixteen years after the fatwa against Salman Rushdie and his "Satanic Verses," the clash between freedom of expression and religious values exploded once more. Panelists will discuss if there are limits for press freedom and how media responsibility can work in a globalized world. Don’t miss this special panel focused on 2006’s most fascinating editorial debate.

Two representatives of Jyllands-Posten

Founded in 1871, Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten today is Denmark's largest newspaper, with a weekday circulation of about 150,000 and a Sunday circulation of about 205,000. It is a liberal newspaper independent of political, financial, organisational, religious and commercial interests. It is devoted to the coverage of business, politics, sports and culture – both nationally and internationally – and operates a network of 13 resident foreign correspondents.

Khaled Al-Balshy, Deputy Editor, al Dustour

Eric Le Boucher, Columnist, Le Monde, France

Eric has worked as a journalist at a number of French newspapers : L’usine Nouvelle (1979-1982), and Le Matin (1982). He joined Le Monde in 1983 and has held various posts at the paper : Correspondent in Frankfurt, Business Editor, International Editor. He is author of two books : Memoires volées (1979), and Economiquement incorrect (2005).

Imtiaz Alam, Secretary General of the South Asian Free Media Association

Imtiaz is a leading Pakistani journalist. He edits the South Asian media Net, an independent website providing in-depth news coverage for the region, and the South Asian Journal, which provides analysis of issues concerning the development of the people, the nation states, and the region. Mr. Alam has written extensively on the issues of conflict and cooperation in South Asia.

South Asian Free Media Association

SAMFA is a leading regional media body with national chapters in five countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. It advocates free flow of information across the borders of countries in the region, and aims to promote networking among the media community, improve professional standards, organize media training and create an environment conducive to conflict resolution.

Hakeem Bello, Executive Editor, The National Interest, Nigeria

Most of Hakeem’s eventful 15-year journalistic career took place at The Daily Times, Nigeria’s oldest daily newspaper, which he joined in 1991 as a Senior Staff Writer. Between 2000 and 2004, he was its editor. At The National Interest, he took an active part in the restructuring of the organisation prior to its recapitalisation and resumption of daily publication in February 2005. He joined the Governing Board of the WEF in Seoul, South Korea as the Editor representing Africa last year.

The National Interest

The National Interest is a general interest quality compact size publication based in Lagos, Nigeria.

Andrei Richter, Director, Moscow Media Law and Policy Institute, Russia

Andrei is Director and Founder of the Moscow Media Law and Policy Institute, and Associate Professor at the School of Journalism, Moscow State University. He is a Commissioner of the International Commission of Jurists and co-chair of the law section of the International Association for Media and Communication Research. He edits ZiP, the only publication on media law in Russian and sits on editorial boards of a number of international journals on communications and the media.