Arab Free Press Forum looks at issues and changing face of Arab blogging

The Forum will provide a comprehensive overview of the latest press developments in the Arab world, from obstructive government policies to the changing face of Arab blogging, and from the appeal and influence of Pan-Arab news media to the business of newspaper publishing in the Arab World. Attendance is free and simultaneous translation into Arabic, French and English is provided throughout the event.

Prominent stakeholders from the Middle East and North Africa will address a range of subjects including tactics used by governments and the judiciary to impede and sanction the independent press in Arab countries; blogs becoming a Fifth Estate, challenging governments that hold a monopoly on news and evading mechanisms of censorship.

About 120 leading publishers, journalists and press-freedom advocates from across the region and beyond are expected to meet in Beirut to discuss these issues and benefit from networking opportunities at the joint initiative of the World Association of Newspapers and the Lebanese An-Nahar daily newspaper.

More information on the conference panels, schedule of events and registration is available at:
http://www.wan-press.org/arabfreepressforum//home.php?id=1566