Islands Business - Global Media Forum

The Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store says that Freedom of Expression is the cornerstone for all other fundamental rights.

Speaking at the opening of the Global Forum on Freedom of Expression in Oslo, Norway, the Foreign Minister said that ‘words can kill and you can be killed by words.”

Media freedom and freedom of expression representatives from 120 countries have converged on the Norwegian capital for three days of intensive engagement on lifting the profile of Freedom of Expression.

Store says realities on the ground regarding freedom of expression differ radically.

Professor Francis Sejersted, the chair of the Freedom of Expression said “the struggle for freedom of expression is never ending.

“Freedom of Expression differs country to country, but the basics are same.”

At a plenary session on Managing Change in the Global Media Economy, the Federal Secretary of Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance of Australia, Christopher Warren said journalists need to train for sustainability.

Warren says new challenges are facing journalists.

Managing Editor of The Guardian newspaper in the United Kingdom- Chris Elliot says the newspaper’s website has been successful and they are planting funds back into journalism training.

Elliot says they’ve had to go with changes that’ll sustain The Guardian newspaper. He adds traditional newspapers must look at things from a multi-media perspective.

“Don’t think in silos, think outside the box,” said Elliot.

Contributing Editor for The Nation newspaper in the United States- John Nichols said the consolidation of media ownership is a threat to Freedom of Expression.

According to Nichols about six thousand journalists lost their lives last year.

World Association of Newspapers (WAN) Deputy Director of Press Freedom and Development, Mirjana Milosevic said its time to educate publishers because the quality of journalism is being threatened.

Elliot revealed that newspapers are facing on niche publication for survival.

The gathering heard that one of the suggestions for sustainability is to get traditional media, non-governmental organizations and donors to work together.

Matai Akauola is Manager and Training Coordinator for Pacific Islands News Association (PINA)