The 2024 United Nations International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East is organized by the United Nations Department for Global Communications, as part of its Special information programme on the question of Palestine.
The annual seminar was created over three decades ago to provide a platform that aims to sensitize public opinion to the question of Palestine, enhance dialogue and understanding between media practitioners, and foster and encourage their contribution in support of a peaceful settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
At a time of alarmingly escalated crisis, this year’s seminar will bring together journalists, media professionals, scholars and diplomats from Israel, the State of Palestine, Switzerland, and other parts of the world to examine two very pertinent themes: “Freedom of the Press and Safety of Journalists in a Time of War” and “Behind the Headlines of Gaza: Media Challenges and Perspectives.”
This public event will take place on 1 November at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, in Room XXVI.
Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in Arabic.
PROGRAMME
OPENING SESSION
09:30-10:30: Registration
10:30-11:00: Opening session
Opening Statements
- Ms. Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, United Nations
- Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva
- H.E. Dr. Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations
Messages
- H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
- H.E. Mr. Cheikh Niang, Permanent Representative of Senegal to the United Nations, Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People
SESSION I – Freedom of the Press and Safety of Journalists in a Time of War (11:00-12:30)
Moderator: Ms. Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, United Nations
11:00-12:00 | Statements by:
- Ms. Ameera Harouda, Freelance Journalist
- Professor Colleen Murrell, Professor, International and Broadcast Journalism, Dublin City University
- Ms. Jodie Ginsberg, Chief Executive Officer, Committee to Protect Journalists
- Mr. Guilherme Canela, Chief of Section, Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
12:00-12:30 | Reflections from the audience
LUNCH (12:30-15:00)
SESSION II – Behind the Headlines of Gaza: Media Challenges and Perspectives (15:00–16:30)
Moderator: Ms. Nanette Braun, Director, Communication Campaigns Service, Campaigns and Country Operations Division, UN Department of Global Communications
15:00-16:00 | Statements by:
- Mr. Omar Baddar, Political Analyst and Digital Producer
- Ms. Anat Saragusti, Director, Press Freedom, Union of Journalists in Israel
- Mr. Mohammad Ali Alnsour, Chief, the Middle East and North Africa Section, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
- Ms. Lila Hassan, Independent Investigative Journalist
16:00-16:30 | Reflections from the audience
CLOSING CEREMONY
16:30–16:45 | Concluding Session
Closing Statements
- Ms. Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, United Nations