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APTN and Chatham House launch new Middle East Forum

24 May 2005

APTN, the video news agency of The Associated Press, and Chatham House one of the world's leading institutions for the analysis of international affairs, held their first Middle East Forum on Monday 23 May before a packed audience at the Chatham House HQ in St James' Square, London.


The theme of of the forum was the Media and the Middle East and it was Chaired by Dr Rosemary Hollis, Director of Research, Chatham House. Speakers included Mouafac Harb, Director of News, Alhurra; Dr Percy Kemp, Tactical Studies and Professor Greg Philo of Glasgow University. Chatham House and Associated Press Television News will now host a series of events examining highly topical Middle East issues throughout the rest of the year.


Dr Hollis led the panel and an audience of fellow journalists, Embassy representatives, political advisors and academics in a lively and stimulating discussion on the relationship between the Western and regional media and the Middle East.


Issues that were examined included:

• The impact of the new Arab media

• The problems and pressures faced by the Western media in covering the Middle East

• The effect of media coverage of the Middle East on public perceptions in the region and in the West

• The relationship between media coverage of the Middle East and government policy

• The interaction between truth, power and the media


Alla Salehian, APTN's Manager of Middle East Custom Coverage comments: 'APTN and Chatham House are natural partners dedicated to unbiased fact finding and excellence. Our joint reputation for independence and impartiality enabled us to attract a wide range of people from all sides of the middle east equation. APTN's new partnership with Chatham House will provide an important forum for Middle East affairs in the year ahead.'


Nadim Shehadi, acting head of the Middle East Programme at Chatham House said: 'The importance of a debate on the media in the Middle East goes beyond the role of journalists as the providers of information. The media becomes integral to the way conflicts in the region unfold.'



Contact:
APTN - Stephen Roberts +44 (0) 1780 460777
Chatham House - Robert Lowe +44 (0) 20 7957 5737



ENDS