Cristina Fernandez opens International News Agencies Conference

BUENOS AIRES / IraqiNews.com: Argentine President, Cristina Fernandez, opened early on Thursday the Third Conference of the International News Agencies in Buenos Aires, attended by more than 70 world news agencies, including IraqiNews.com.

The opening session, presented by IraqiNews.com’s Editor-in-Chief has covered a discussion of issues related to press freedom, with special concentration on threats facing journalists in areas of conflicts and wars, including Iraq.

The UN Media Adviser, Frank Lalua, in a statement after the Argentinian President opened the conference, reiterated the need to take emergency measures to protect journalists in areas of conflicts and wars, along with preparing an international protection to help them carry out their duties. He pointed to the significance of laying down laws considering the freedom of expression and the right to obtain information, based on democratic principles. At the same time he called for the issuance of “new honor documents” that limit the use of mass media as means for instigating violence and hatred.

The conference, scheduled to continue for four days in Beluja city at the far end of South America, close to the Pacific Ocean, has witnessed a broad Arab presence, represented by 18 Arab agencies, among them IraqiNews.com and the National Iraqi News Agency (NINA).