Is traditional media dead, and how
can paper press survive in the digital era? This question will be tackled at
the 3rd gathering of ISESCO Cultural Forum, which was launched by
the General Directorate of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (ISESCO), and hosts intellectuals from inside and outside the
Islamic world to discuss major intellectual and cultural issues. ISESCO
published a series of booklets on the previous gatherings. The 3rd
gathering, due to be held on 21 January 2020 at 18:00, at ISESCO headquarters
in Rabat, will discuss the theme “Future of Information: From paper to digital
press”.
The forum hosts three renowned media
figures in the Arab world, namely Mr. Khalid Al-Malik, Editor-in-Chief of the
Saudi Newspaper Al Jazirah, Chairman of the Board of Directors of
the Saudi Journalists Association, and President of the Gulf Press Union; Mr.
Alaa Thabet, journalist and Editor-in-Chief of the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram;
and Mr. Mohammed Seddik Maaninou, renowned Moroccan writer and journalist, who
served in many positions, including former director of the National Television,
and former general secretary of the Ministry of Communication.
The gathering will discuss the
various aspects of this issue, including the environmental dimensions as
journalism has been related, since its emergence, to paper and still maintains
this relationship in spite of the competition with the radio and television. However,
deforestation and the exacerbation of environmental problems as well as the
transformations induced by the digital revolution have immensely reshaped the
relationship of press with paper, changed media practice, and influenced the
development of journalism.
Among the salient manifestations of
this development is the renewal of media practice, the reorganization of the editorial
boards in media institutions, the development of the new media activities and
professions, and the new competencies required in this field. Besides, the
areas of press have expanded to cover new sectors. New types of press also
appeared as part of the opportunities offered by the technological development.
The emergence of social media
networks such as Twitter and Facebook had a clear impact on press and
information. These networks have become among the working mechanisms of
journalists taking into account their impacts likely to threaten the
profession’s ethics.
It is worth mentioning that the first
and second gatherings of ISESCO Cultural Forum had a great media coverage both
inside the Seat Country and abroad. They were attended by a large and diverse
audience, including intellectuals, politicians, media professionals, civil
society organizations, professors, researchers and students. The invitation is
open to anyone interested to attend.