The third seminar in the Unlearning Intolerance series of the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) titled “Fanning the Flame of Tolerance: The Role of the Media” will be held at United Nations Headquarters on 3 May 2005 from 9:50 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

This seminar is being held in the context of the Department’s commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, held each year on 3 May. The seminar will consider ways to counter the effects of “hate” media and how the media can, should and, indeed, does educate people through reporting and confronting manifestations of intolerance around the world.

The seminar will be chaired by United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information Shashi Tharoor. There will be a panel discussion offering different perspectives on how the press can inform and educate public opinion to challenge and “unlearn” intolerance, as well as participate in the effective confrontation of “hate” media.

Panellists will include:
Ambassador Mihnea Ioan Motoc of Romania, the current Chairman of the United Nations Committee on Information;
Erol Avdovic, Senior Diplomatic Correspondent, Deutsche Welle, Bosnian Radio & TV and the Vjesnik daily;
Alfonso Armada, United Nations and New York correspondent, Spanish News Daily, ABC; and
Ghida Fakhry, New York Bureau Chief, Asharq Al-Awsat.
James Wurst, President, United Nations Correspondents Association, and Suzanne Bilello, Interim Director, UNESCO office in New York, will act as discussants.

During the meeting, Under-Secretary-General Tharoor will also release the “Ten Stories the World Should Hear More About”, an annual list by DPI that shines a spotlight on some of the important international issues and developments that often do not get sufficient media attention.

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