Adewale Kupoluyi
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Highlights of the 4-day programme comprise the General Assembly, during which some IPI members were re-elected, regional network meetings, a peaceful protest by IPI members against the continued detention of Al Jazeera journalists and the conferment on the Iranian journalist, Mashallah Shamsolvaezin, as the IPI’s World Press Freedom Hero. IPI also honoured Al-Monitor as the recipient of its 2014 Free Media Pioneer Award and the International Human Rights Book Award to South African journalist, Hugh Lewin.
While responding to the honour conferred on him, he said the Iran’s government “have the power and they have control over the power. They should be willing to give up control and allow others freedom”. He noted that his research and monitoring of developments in Iran showed that 48 journalists were imprisoned, which would make the country the leading jailer of journalists in the world, only after Turkey. Shamsolvaezin also urged the Iranian government “to release and unfreeze the block” on the Association of Iranian Journalists, which he headed until authorities shut it down in 2009. That request echoed a call by Palestinian journalist and IPI Executive Board Member, Daoud Kuttab, who urged IPI members at their General Assembly to call on Iran’s government to drop its ban on the association.
A former editor, he had been jailed numerous times for his criticism of government policies and he served 17 months in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison from 2000 to 2001 in connection with an article that he wrote that criticized capital punishment, which was deemed insulting to Islamic principles. The veteran journalist observed that “many people think that the responsibility is that of journalists, because they haven’t held onto that spring.” But he averred that, “in my opinion, governments who are monarchies or religious governments are responsible for the absence of a Tehran spring”.
On the other hand, Al-Monitor’s founder Jamal Daniel said, in a videotaped address: “In 2011, the Arab Spring found its voice. You could say that a pulse began to beat. I founded Al-Monitor to hear that pulse.” He pledged that Al-Monitor would “live up to your call for excellence”, adding that “we hereby commit to continue to search for the one pulse that, one day, despite the turmoil, will unite the Middle East – the pulse of its soul.” Al-Monitor provides original reporting and analysis by prominent journalists and experts from the Middle East, and offers an in-depth focus on Egypt, the Gulf, Israel, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Turkey while Lewin said of his award: “I dedicate it to them, wherever they may be”, noting that there are still some 200 journalists behind bars around the world.
Resolutions adopted by the General Assembly covered the call on Swaziland’s government to drop charges against jailed editor and human rights lawyer and ensure press freedom; resolution calling on South Africa’s president to send the ‘secrecy bill’ for constitutional review; resolution expressing deep concern that South African diplomatic missions were obstructive in responding to visa applications, and calling on the government to explain why; resolution calling on authorities in Russia and Ukraine to end pressure on media and allow the open exchange of information.
Other resolutions called on all sides in Venezuela to ensure the safety of journalists and for the government to halt arbitrary detentions of media workers; resolution on the call on the Ethiopian government to review its use of anti-terrorism laws against journalists; and resolution calling on the Egyptian government to review its use of anti-terrorism laws against journalists; resolution calling on Iran to respect press freedom and journalists’ rights.
Meanwhile, delegates from Nigeria include Alhaji Ismaila Isa, a publisher and former Minister of Water Resources; Mr. Kabiru Yusuf, the publisher of Daily Trust; Mr. Folu Olamiti, Head of Media, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission; Mr. Nnamdi Njemanze, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council; Mr. Mike Awoyinfa, former Managing Director,
The Sun; Mr. Dimgba Igwe, former Deputy Managing Director, The Sun and Mr. Raheem Adedoyin, Special Adviser, Communications Strategy to the Kwara State Governor.
Others are Mr. Eniola Bello, Managing Director, ThisDay; Mr. Kingsley Osadolor, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Information; Mr. Wada Maida, former Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria; Mr. Mustapha Shehu, Editor-in-Chief, The Politico; Mr. Garba Shehu, former Media Adviser to the Vice-President; and renowned columnists; Mr. Mohammed Haruna, The Nation and Ms. Bilkisu Bintube, Daily Trust.
Patricia de Lille, executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town’s moving keynote closing speech was significant. As the world looks forward to the next IPI Congress holding in Myanmar, the memories of Mzansi – the heart of the country the late Nelson Mandela once called a home – would continue to linger in our memory as we ponder on the wise saying of the sage that ‘a critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy’. Madiba was right after all!
Concluded
