The safety of journalists, the freedom of the press, the observance of universal rights and values, as well as the respect for human dignity, rule of law and the right to impartial justice were the main highlights in the final declaration of the 5th News Agencies World Congress held in Baku, Azerbaijan, last week.
The event themed "New Challenges for News Agencies," which saw the participation of over 100 news agencies worldwide, among which AGERPRES Romanian National News Agency, focused on the increasingly more endangered safety of journalists in conflict areas, the new technologies and social networks which have become essential to broadcasting news items in real time, innovation in journalism, as well as free access to information.
"This year's theme represented a signal concerning the uncertainties of the subsequent developments of international media, in a constantly changing digital environment. One of the conclusions was that there is no general sustainable development solution for everything that mass media means, as the diversification of approaches is still key to evolution. AzerTac's having organised the event in Azerbaijan can be interpreted as a signal on the need to identify solutions based on dialogue in everything related to topics relevant for democracy, such as the freedom of the press and the right to opinion. I further believe that inclusive, not exclusive approaches, stand the highest success chances," AGERPRES Director General Alexandru Giboi said.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in a message sent to the participants to the congress that the traditional media institutions, such as news agencies, are essential to democracy, as they broadcast high quality information.
"Freedom of expression and the media are essential to this new global roadmap for people and the planet. News agencies have an extremelyIMPORTANT role in disseminating timely, quality information. This is both a means and a goal of positive change," the UN Secretary General said.
He added that at least 825 journalists have been killed in the line of duty in the past decade. "It is essential that their safety is preserved and respect for their profession observed," Ban Ki-moon also said.
During the congress, BTA Bulgarian News Agency Director General Maxim Mincev took over the office of Secretary General of the News Agencies World Council, and AzerTac Azerbaijan State News Agency took over the presidency of the congress.
The event takes place once every three years. The first News Agencies World Congress took place in Moscow, in 2004. In 2007 it was organised in Estepona — Spain, in 2010 in Buenos Aires — Argentina, and in 2013 in Riyadh — Saudi Arabia. The next congress will take place in 2019 in Sofia, Bulgaria.
