In Athens, a Critical Debate on Journalists in Danger

Threats to journalists are rising worldwide and the job of reporting is becoming more difficult: Technology is taking news media staff ever closer to danger; citizen journalism and the advance of new media expose many newcomers to the threats professionals have long faced; kidnapping has proliferated – and impunity for the killers of journalists has encouraged more of the same.

To address these issues, the International News Safety Institute  is organising "Live to Tell," a major debate in Athens November 10, on the eve of the annual NewsXchange convention. It will be held at the Foreign Press Association, 23 Academias Street, Athens.

"The world has never been more dangerous for journalists as they seek to shine the light of truth into the darkest corners of society. Put at its simplest, INSI's mission is to help them live to tell the stories we all need to hear," said INSI Director Rodney Pinder.

Keynote speaker is David Schlesinger, editor-in-chief of Reuters. He will be joined by Oliver Vujovic, secretary-general of the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), Gavin Rees, director of Dart Centre Europe, Yannis Behrakis, chief photographer of Reuters and other major press and broadcast figures. The debate will be chaired by Elizabeth Filippouli, director of Global Thinkers and a former Al Jazeera/ERT journalist.

The event also will feature workshops on kidnap and ransom, trauma, organised crime, civil unrest, traditional and future risk. INSI encourages journalists from the area of South East Europe, and the Balkans in particular, to join the debate, add their voice to help shape a safer future for journalists around the world.