Wednesday 19 June 2019
6.30pm
St George’s Parish Hall, High Street, Belfast.
0 Comments
United Nations World Press Freedom Day – 3 May 2019 Colin Wrafter, former Irish Ambassador and one-time Director of the Human Rights Unit of the Irish Government, was one of the keynote speakers at a joint National Union of Journalists and the Northern Ireland Region of the United Nations Association seminar, marking UN World Press Freedom Day, in the Linen Hall Library, Belfast. The seminar 'The Media and Democracy – Why Journalism Matters' and dedicated to Lyra McKee, killed while doing her job, also heard from Oxford-based Jim Boumelha (Treasurer of the International Federation of Journalists), Seamus Dooley (Irish Secretary of the National Union of Journalists) and the award- winning documentary producer Trevor Birney, part of the team which brought ‘No Stone Unturned’ to international acclaim. World Press Freedom Day serves as a public reminder of the values and importance of a free press, but also highlights the censorship of publications, the harassment of journalists and the dangers they face in many countries for simply doing their jobs. According to the International Federation of Journalists, last year 94 journalists and media workers were killed in targeted shooting and bomb attacks. The audience included journalism students from the Ulster University, Queens University, the Belfast Metropolitan College and senior pupils from UNA NI linked schools. The seminar featured a question and answer section which was hosted by Angelina Fusco, former BBC Northern Ireland news editor. Organisers and Guest Speakers at the Seminar were from left: Gerry Carson, NUJ Belfast; Trevor Birney, documentary producer; Seamus Dooley, NUJ Ireland; Jim Boumelha, European Federation of Journalists; Patricia Irvine, UNA-NI; Colin Wrafter, former Irish Ambassador, and Angelina Fusco, former BBC NI News Editor. Gerry Carson, Chairman of the Belfast and District Branch of the National Union of Journalists, and one of the main seminar organisers, welcomed everyone to the Seminar. Patricia Irvine, Chairperson of UNA-NI, and another main seminar organiser, gave an overview of the work of the United Nations Association. She also thanked NUJ and UNA-NI member, John Coghlan, who although unable to be present, had been instrumental in setting up this joint venture to mark United Nations World Press Freedom Day. Seamus Dooley, Assistant General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists in Ireland, spoke of the threats to media freedom locally and globally. Jim Boumelha, Treasurer of the European Federation of Journalists, spoke of the work to protect journalists, and the current aim to encourage the United Nations to adopt a convention on the safety of journalists. Trevor Birney, an award winning producer from Fine Point Films' production of 'No stone unturned' spoke of his situation and that of his colleague, Barry McCaffery, as they remain under arrest for their documentary. Colin Wrafter, former Irish Ambassador and Director of the Human Rights Unit at the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, spoke of his experiences in his roles as ambassador, press officer and government press secretary. UNA-NI's Secretary, Maureen Maguire, on the left and our Chairperson, Patricia Irvine, (fourth from the left), chatted with students from Wellington College, Belfast at the seminar. Students from Wellington College, Belfast and Queen's University Belfast were photographed with UNA-NI's Membership Secretary, Carol Conlin. Credit for all Photographs: Kevin Cooper
|
Archives
March 2024
|