Syndicate of Journalists, with Grant from Embassy, Explores Ethics at Press Freedom Day Conference

April 29, 2009

The  Slovak Syndicate of Journalists (SSJ) on April 28 organized its annual international conference on the occasion of Press Freedom Day ( May 3) . This year’s theme was: “Journalistic Ethics in a Changing World.” Recognizing the conference’s contribution to the quality  and professionalism of Slovak media, the Embassy supported the gathering with a grant. The keynote  speaker, Aidan White, General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists, outlined  in his remarks the difference between  freedom of expression as a basic right of citizens and press freedom as a basic work condition for journalists to serve the public. He focused also on journalistic ethics in a free and democratic society. Participants from Great Britain, Finland, Czech Republic and Hungary shared experiences with Slovak journalists, professors and students from Slovak schools of journalism in a series of very vivid discussions. SSJ plans to publish all presentations and discussions as a tool for working journalists and a textbook for students of journalism.