The president of Indonesia and prime minister of Norway are co-sponsoring the Global Inter-Media Dialogue, Bali, Indonesia 1 – 2 September. "Together we share a common goal to contribute to bridging gaps between different religions, cultures and peoples.
28/08/2006 :: Indonesia, with the world's largest Muslim population, is a new democracy with pluralism and freedom of expression enshrined in its constitution. Norway has a long tradition of working internationally to promote peace and human rights.
Norway and Indonesia are now joining forces to promote an inter-media dialogue by facilitating the media conference on Bali. The Dialogue will be a forum for leading media actors from different continents, countries and cultures to discuss ways and means of promoting freedom of expression and greater tolerance. Between 60-70 experiences journalists from all around the world are expected to attend.
Indonesian President Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg took the initiative for this conference to recognise the important role the media has in providing a free flow of news and information within and across national borders. The right to freedom of expression is one of the essential foundations of a democratic society. Exercising this right also includes responsibilities. The Global Inter-Media Dialogue will give participants and outstanding opportunity to exchange experiences, and define the challenges and issues confronting the media in the 21st century, writes Yudhoyono and Stoltenberg in a joint statement.
The conference has its own website: www.intermediadialogue.org where you can find more information about among other things the participants and the debates.
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs