Yangon conference to focus on challenges to media freedom in Asia

Former ASEAN secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan, Myanmar author Thant Myint-U and Ethan Zuckerman, director of the Center for Civic Media at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will also address the conference, which is being hosted by the US-based East-West Center.

The center says it expects more than 300 journalists from up to 30 nations to attend the conference, which will focus on the theme 'Challenges of a Free Press' in Asia.

NLD chair Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will speak at a special pre-conference luncheon on the 'Challenges of a Free Press in Emerging and Established Democracies' on March 9, the East-West Center said in a news release.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will also announce the launch of her Suu Foundation, which will be dedicated to education and healthcare, the release said.

In his opening address to the conference on March 10, U Ye Htut will address current developments and future plans for media reform in Myanmar.

His address will be followed by panel discussion involving journalists from throughout Southeast Asia about the media in Myanmar and throughout the region.

The East-West Center says other topics to be discussed at the talks, panel discussions and workshops to be held during the conference include conflict reporting and peace-building, covering sensitive issues, civic media, ethical challenges for journalism in the digital age and the latest tools and trends in social media.

More information about the conference, being held at the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers and Industry in downtown Yangon, is available at EastWestCenter.org/imc2014.

The conference is the fourth such biennial event to be held by the East-West Center. Previous conferences were held in Bangkok, Hong Kong and Seoul.

The East-West Centre, based at Honolulu, Hawaii, says it seeks to promote better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia and the Pacific through cooperative study, research and dialogue.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2014/02/28/yangon-conference-to-focus-on-challenges-to-media-freedom-in-asia/