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.
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.
journalists.
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.
Students from Wellington College, Belfast and Queen's University Belfast were photographed with UNA-NI's Membership Secretary, Carol Conlin.