ILYM: closing session in Paris
Related project
ILYM (Iraq - Libya - Yemen Media)During the last ILYM seminar, which took place from 9 to 11 May 2016, the participants reviewed the project and talked to experts about the ways of reconstructing a post-conflict media landscape.
The first day was taken up with reflection on the forms of international support that could be provided during this period of political instability and armed conflict affecting their countries. The participants also met Dominique Thierry, media coordinator at Trans Euro Media, to discuss the reconstruction of the media in the Balkans. How can diversity and freedom of speech be ensured at the same time as preserving peace? How can the financial independence of the media be strengthened? How can a post‑conflict media landscape be re-established? So many questions stimulated debate.
Next, Yves Gonzalez-Quijano, a teacher and researcher at Gremmo (Group for Research and Study of the Mediterranean and Middle East), talked to them about the change in digital usage in the Arab world, where new media are shaping the thought processes of a population with an average age of 20.5. Faced with this digital revolution, what role can and should be played by journalists on the internet? This question provoked a very insightful discussion between the journalists.
The session continued at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development with a meeting with Patrice Paoli (director of The Crisis and Support Centre), Jérôme Bonnafont (director of the North Africa and Middle East department) and Romain Nadal, Quai d'Orsay spokesman. All three emphasised the importance of cooperation between Iraqi, Libyan and Yemeni journalists and French journalists, and welcomed the opportunity provided by the ILYM project to assist French public opinion in understanding these crises.
