Jerusalem Conference - 26/07/2005 - Live broadcast

Israel Media Watch is a sponsor of the Jerusalem Conference:

"The Role of the Media in the Subject of the Expulsion/Disangagement"

To be held Tuesday 26/07/2005 from 15:00-21:00

at the Menahem Begin Heritage Center, Jerusalem

Live internet broadcast: http://www.jerusalemconference.com

A unique seminar on the role of the media in Israel vis-a-vis the
disengagement/expulsion plan will be held in Jerusalem this Tuesday at
the Menachem Begin Heritage Center.

Among the topics to be discussed will be whether the Israeli press is
serving its role as the watchdog of democracy - or whether it is more
concerned with safeguarding Ariel Sharon. The issue has become of
concern in light of a famous remark by prominent television commentator
Amnon Abramovitch, who said two months ago,
"I think we need to protect Sharon like an etrog [a citron
fruit used
by religious Jews on the Sukkot festival which requires special care
and protection]. The person who established the settlement enterprise
is Sharon, and if a good spirit has come over him toward the end of his
life and he is ready to tear it down, then in my opinion we need to
protect him not only from political obstacles but also from legal
obstacles too."

Freedom of reporting, freedom of expression and freedom of protest will
also be on the agenda, in the framework of a panel discussion on "the
task of government bodies during a period of social tension."

One session will be broadcast live on Radio Kol Chai, while another
will be heard live on Voice of Israel's Second Channel.

Among the participants will be Maariv editor Amnon Dankner, B'Sheva
editor Emanuel Shilo, Ha'aretz publisher Amos Schocken, MK Prof. Aryeh
Eldad, MK Tzvi Hendel, columnist Caroline Glick, and Prof. Eli Pollack.

The event is being sponsored by the organizers of the Jerusalem
Conference and the B'Sheva weekly newspaper. Beginning at 2:30 PM, it
is open to the public and free of charge, though participants must
register in advance.