The Social and Cultural Development Association (INMA) held in its conference room “Al-Muntada” in Beirut, a workshop for 12 Iranian journalists on “Media and Human Rights” from the 26th till the 30th of September 2011.

-  Journalist Sanaa al-Jack held discussions with the participants throughout the 5 days over the Iranian media practices with regard to laws and human rights. She also highlighted the obstacles faced as well as the facilities and means necessary to promote further media openness and state and self-censorship. Al-Jack drew attention to the stereotyping exchanged between the East and the West and accentuated the media approach towards religious, sectarian and ethnic issues that spark controversy. The participants shared their experiences and drew the similarities and differences between Iranian media on one hand and Lebanese and Arab and International media on the other.

-  Executive Director of Samir Kassir Institute (SKEYES), Ayman Mhanna, laid down the rights of journalists from a legal angle and provided a general scope of the basic principles that protect journalists’ rights and how these principles evolved.

-  Dr. Hoda Rizk underlined equality between men and women and shed light on the means necessary to develop societies and achieve gender equality.

-  Researcher Mohammad Chamseddine from INMA mentioned the basic patterns and models held by the international media in their view of Iran and demonstrated that these negative views are often summoned and used by western media when needed. For better illustration Chamseddine pointed the instances of the Iraqi-Iranian war, the imposing of Hijab, the controversial nuclear file and the attack on the American embassy in Tehran.

-  Journalist Iman Chammas stressed media ethics and career values and labor laws.

-  Activist and expert in social communication means, Maya Rahhal, briefed the participants on the role of social media in improving the Iranian society which is offering an alternative form of media. She also broached issues pertaining to media censorship, information obscuring and distorted news and underlined the attempts performed to employ social communication means in the control system and the media revolution throughout the Iranian elections.

-  Najat Charafeddine, Future TV anchor, was invited to share her experience in Future TV and offer insights regarding the view and vision of the television.

-  The workshop included field trips to Reuters’ offices, Al-Jadeed TV and As-Safir newspaper.