Global journos meet in Bali

Harry Bhaskara ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Nusa Dua, Bali   |  Wed, 05/07/2008 9:42 AM  |  World

For the third time, the Norwegian and Indonesian governments are holding a meeting of journalist leaders and editors.

Norway Deputy Minister of Culture and Church affairs Wegard Harsvik and Indonesia's Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda are slated to open the third Global Inter-Media Dialog (GIMD) here Wednesday.

The forum will address numerous topics including the changing media landscape, covering conflict, reporting minorities and challenges in reporting global issues.

Among the speakers are Aidan White of the International Federation of Journalists, Robin Lustic of the BBC, Victor Merina of University of California and Greg Sheridan of the Australian newspaper.

Around 130 journalists from more than 60 countries are expected to attend the two-day forum.

The Norwegian and Indonesian governments initiated the dialogue in 2006 to find an answer to what role the media should play in an increasingly shrinking and multicultural world.

Although the two governments provide financial and administrative support, the forum is left to journalists to run.

The publication of Danish cartoons satirizing Prophet Muhammad in September 2005 helped spur the dialogue. The cartoon controversy provoked violent outbursts in a number of countries, with more than 100 people killed.

GMID aims at bridging the gap between different religions, cultures and people.

The first dialogue tackled the issues of freedom of expression and globalization. It was held in Bali in September 2006 and was opened by Norway Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The dialogue was themed Freedom of Expression and Diversity: The Media in a Multicultural World.

The second dialogue offered a chance for an open and honest debate and let media representatives express their visions and frustrations. The dialogue, held in Oslo in June 2007, was themed Primetime for Diversity-Journalism in a Troubled World.

This year's dialogue is themed Ethical Journalism in Extreme Conditions: The Challenge of Diversity.

Norway and Indonesia have held political consultations, annual meetings, dialogues and activities on human rights since 2002.

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