IPI to Hold Panel on Relationship Between Politics and the Media at European Forum Alpbach 2010
IPI panel to examine the interplay and power dynamics between journalists and politicians
As part of this year’s European Forum Alpbach programme, the International Press Institute (IPI) will hold a panel discussion titled, “Politicians Construct and Journalists Search for Reality?”, on Monday, 30 August 2010.
The IPI panel will bring together prominent figures from both sides of the divide to examine the interplay and power dynamics between journalists and politicians, particularly in the context of the changing media landscape and the rise of blogs, social media, and citizen journalism.
“Journalists play a crucial role in providing the information the public needs to make informed decisions,” said IPI Director David Dadge. “Yet when trying to report on the complexities of government policy-making, journalists often face politicians and spokespersons who are intent on swaying opinion in their favour and who believe the media have too much power. Meanwhile, surveys have shown that the public often accuses both journalists and politicians of pursuing power and profits under the guise of public service.”
“There is a need for trust, transparency and an adherence to professional norms if the relationship between politicians and journalists is to work for the good of the public,” Dadge said.
The panellists in the IPI session are:
• Roy Greenslade, Media Commentator, Columnist and Blogger, The Guardian; Professor of Journalism, City University, London
• Verena Nowotny, Spokesperson, Austrian Mission to the United Nations, New York
• Lance Price, Writer, Political Commentator, and Broadcaster; Director of Communications under British Prime Minister Tony Blair, London
• Matthias Schepp, Bureau Chief, Der Spiegel, Moscow
• Péter Szegö, Online Journalist, hvg.hu, Budapest
• Michael Fleischhacker, Editor-in-Chief, Die Presse, Vienna (moderator)
Another IPI panel discussion dealing with a related topic – “Reporting on Extremist Politicians – How New and Traditional Media Cover the Politics of the Extreme” – will take place on Tuesday, 14 September, during the IPI World Congress in Vienna and Bratislava this September. To learn more about this session and the IPI World Congress in general, visit the Congress website: www.ipiworldcongress.com
The European Forum Alpbach, chaired by former Austrian vice-chancellor Dr. Erhard Busek, is an annual interdisciplinary conference held in the Austrian mountain village of Alpbach. In the course of two weeks, over 3,000 participants from some 40 countries are expected to attend this year’s Forum (19 August-4 September 2010), which will take place under the general theme of “Construction and Reality.” The conference is open to all members of the public. The official working languages are English and German.
For further information about the European Forum Alpbach 2010 in general, and to register for this event, visit: www.alpbach.org