Workshops

Gender and Media in the information Society

Organized by the WSIS Gender Caucus
8 December, 2003.

A focus on women's perspectives on media in the Information Society, including the need to integrate traditional forms of communication with electronic communication and to promote and protect women's information and content production.

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New media: Time Machine for the 21st Century

Organized by the European Broadcasting Union
11 December, 2003.

New Media is a "Time Machine" which points to the future media and cultural world. Media evolution, like economic development, does not occur uniformly across the world. Challenges that some countries face today, wait for tomorrow to confront others. But, sooner or later, all nations need either to influence the media world they inhabit or to be prepared to take what comes.

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Public Service Broadcasting

Organized by UNESCO
11 December, 2003.

In today's interplay of changing technological, commercial, political and cultural factors, editorially independent Public Service Broadcasting is more relevant than ever. In developing countries, PSB has a key mission in promoting access to education and culture, developing knowledge and fostering interaction among citizens.

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Global media, non-violent power and democratic change

Organized by International Center on Nonviolent Conflict
11 December, 2003.

This workshop examined how non-violent struggles have achieved independence or liberation from dictators and oppressive regimes, and how this can happen today more effectively than through violence or terror. The workshop also explored ways in which media can more accurately report on conflicts and the shifting currents of power, and how the new electronic media may transform the way that democracy and human rights are achieved.

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Quality certification in broadcasting and Internet

Organized by Fondation Médias et Société
11 December, 2003.

It is a paradox that in the broadcasting industry, which requires transparency from all society stakeholders, there are very few examples of certified broadcasters. During this workshop, the brand new standard ISAS BC 9001 was presented in World Premiere.
This standard, based on ISO 9000, certifies the quality management of broadcasters and their contribution to social development and democracy.

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E-learning

Organized by Comedia
11 December 2003.

Structured as an open consultation between e-learning experts and a diverse group of media professionals and stakeholders, this workshop explored the opportunities and challenges raised by e-learning for journalists.

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Radio - new challenges

Organized by the European Broadcasting Union and Asociacion Internacional de Radiodifusion - International Association of Broadcasting (AIR-IAB)
11 December, 2003.

Radio is the most widespread, used and trusted mass media. The strength of radio is its low cost and that it can be present and used everywhere. The development of digital radio creates new opportunities, but also new challenges for public, private and community broadcasters alike. This workshop turned an eye towards the future of radio in the Information Society where the next generation of listeners faces more choices than ever before about their media and how they consume it.

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Cultural diversity

Organized by Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) and Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development
11 December, 2003.

The projection of cultural diversity through the media has contributed to the enrichment of the human community, and to the promotion of peace and communal harmony amongst the diverse civilizations of the world. But in many parts of the world there still remain significant concerns about one single global culture expanding to dominate media content. With the so-called Information Society, and the rapid development of multi-media and convergent technology, will the cultural gap widen along with that of the information, knowledge and digital divide?

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Private radio and television

Organized by Asociacion Internacional de Radiodifusion -
International Association of Broadcasting (AIR-IAB)
12 December, 2003.

Private broadcasting has its fundamental place in the Information Society. Today, the transition to new digital technologies creates new opportunities, but also raises question marks concerning financing and frequencies. Other timely questions for private broadcasters include sports rights and restrictions to advertising.

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Comparing news coverage in the Iraq war

Organized by the International Academy for TV Arts and Sciences (IATAS)
12 December, 2003.

Based on the screening of the four nominees of the Emmy Awards competition for news coverage, this workshop focused on the differences and the similarities of the recent coverage of the war in Iraq. A comparison was made between coalition forces countries’ coverage and coverage of TV stations in non-warring countries.

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Peace journalism

Organized by Young Asia Television and Fondation Hirondelle
12 December, 2003.

There are some examples of media consciously adopting an agenda for peace, in societies that are emerging from conflict. This workshop discussed the challenges of practicing peace journalism and the role of the media in influencing public opinion and support for peace.

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Broadcasting and health

Organized by the World Health Organization (WHO)
12 December, 2003.

How can broadcasters tackle the core health issues that impact on every aspect of a country's social fabric - economic, educational, political - in a socially responsible as well as commercially beneficial way?

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