By Hussein Da’ssah
Albawaba.com – Amman
The October 24 Arab Journalists Union General Conference in Amman will turn into a political forum, with the bloody events in Palestine casting their shadow, according to Seif Sharif, head of the Jordan’s Press Association.
“I am certain that this meeting is extremely important, especially that in coincides with the Aqsa Intifada … and the Israeli aggressions on the defenseless Palestinian people.”
“The Arab journalist will voice their solidarity with and support for the Palestinian people and their Palestinian colleagues,” said Sharif.
Within the same context, the JPA has appealed to the general secretariat of the union to name the upcoming session as “Aqsa and Jerusalem Martyred.”
Meanwhile, Sharif added that the current head of the union, Ibrahim Nafe’, editor-in-chief of the Al Ahram Egyptian daily, will be re-elected, and his compatriot Salaheddine Hafez will be chosen as secretary general “since the headquarters of the union are located in Cairo.”
Top on the conference’s agenda are items presented by Palestine Committee, Press Freedom Committee in addition to a proposal to change the by-laws of the union, said JPA chief.
On the sidewalks of the meeting, panelists will discuss in a forum “the future of Arab press and information revolution.” Besides, the largest cartoon exhibition featuring works by leading Arab artists will be held. The works will be dedicated to one theme: press freedom. Three caricaturists from each member country will take part in the show, which will show works by George Bahjouri, Mustafa Hussein, Imad Hajjaj, Jalal Rifai’, and Ali Farzat among others.
The unions’ general conference will attract the participation of 16 member countries, in addition to Saudi Arabia and Oman as observers.
It is expected that the UAE and Bahrain’s membership applications will be accepted since the two countries have allowed the establishment of press associations for journalists, according to Sharif.
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
