Freedom of expression on the agenda at the second ILYM seminar

Discussions focused on the issues of editorial line, freedom of expression and in particular the challenge of respecting ethical and professional standards during times of crisis.

What are the red lines? How should images of violence and death be used? Should everything be shown? What words or concepts need to be treated with caution? How should the words 'terrorism' and 'shahid' be dealt with in their respective countries? The journalists answered all of these questions during a session dedicated to censorship and vocabulary used in times of crisis.
A comparative analysis between Arab and international media outlets, attended by Wassim Nasr, a France 24 journalist specialising in jihadi movements and mobilisation, enriched the forum by providing added depth.

In addition, an open discussion with Michel Sailhan, head of the diplomatic section at Agence France-Presse (AFP), provided the journalists with an opportunity to introduce the press agencies of Iraq, Libya and Yemen. AFP's organisational methods, its modus operandi in times of crisis and the way in which it selects its sources were all examined in detail.
The seminar closed with a visit from Le Monde and high-quality exchanges with Hélène Sallon and Charlotte Bozonnet, two journalists from the newspaper's Maghreb and Middle East desk.

* The French Institute of Mediterranean and Middle East Research and Studies