Resolution of 2007 IFJ-JAK Special Conference

 The 2007 IFJ-JAK Special Conference, held under the theme of “Peace and Reconciliation in Korean Peninsula” in Seoul and at Mount Keumgang, and attended by journalists from 70 countries, confirms that the people of Korea have an unprecedented opportunity to build a lasting peace and to end Cold War divisions.

 Participants welcome the recent Feb. 13^th agreement in Beijing at the six-party talks and the transfer of wartime control of the South Korean armed forces to the Korean government which, following the adoption of the North and South Joint Declaration on June 15^th 2000, inspire great excitement on the Korean peninsula and constitute a giant step towards peace and stability. After 60 years of division, peace and prosperity are a living reality and are in sight for all Koreans.

 At this historic moment, the world of journalism has a crucial role to play by reporting extensively on the impact of this new era and the end of the division of the two Koreas, which can inspire peace lovers around the world.

 The meeting notes that this historical and revolutionary turnabout can usher in a new age of freedom and welbeing for journalism and for all Koreans.

 Last year, under the theme of ``Reunification of Korean Peninsula,’’ North and South Korean journalists held a successful and remarkable conference for the first time since the peninsula’s division. Both groups reaffirmed the value of the June 15^th North and South Joint Declaration opening the door to North/South cooperation initiating a significant discussion about the role of journalists in peaceful reunification.

 That conference was held during a tense time. But developments since then have reinforced the optimism of that exchange between journalists and the holding of the 2007 IFJ-JAK Special Conference is more special as it was held after the Feb.13 agreement in Beijing.

 The Special Conference notes that peace lovers around the world hope that the threat of nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula has been completely resolved, with the six-party talks agreement that sets guidelines to promote a nuclear-free Korea, including fuel and electricity support for the North, normalization of relations with the United States and Japan and security assurances in North-east Asia.

 As tensions have eased, and to accomplish a peaceful reunification, the two sides agreed to promote economic cooperation by building the Gaesung Industrial Complex, and the North and South railroad and highway.

 The Special Conference recognises that despite these positive signs, war and fear in other regions continues to disrupt international society. There is continued tension between different communities often based on religion and race.

 The Special Conference insists that the professional and ethical excellence of journalists and media professionals are vital in creating conditions for mutual understanding and peace in all regions of conflicts and division and particularly in the Middle East, namely in Iraq, Lebanon, Darfur, the nuclear crisis in Iran and the Palestinian-Israeli conflicts. In this region, people yearn for the settlement of conflicts based upon respect for international law, UN resolutions and peaceful dialogue.

 These conflicts provide a challenge to journalism and the world's press, which must seek to report  fairly and ethically to combat ignorance, fear and hatred.

 Journalists must be free to do their work without the threat of violence or intimidation. At the same time all obstacles to the exercise of free journalism must be removed. Restrictive laws, hinder the press from telling the truth.

 The Special Conference recognises the evolution of a new global media system which is multi-media and multi-channeled and which prospers on the basis of respect for pluralism, democracy and tolerance of different ideas and opinions. Such a development was unthinkable in the age of Cold War.

 But the new era has brought with it new challenges, not least from a new order of employment and management of media that threatens to compromise quality of journalism and weaken the professional and social standing of people who work in journalism.

 The Special Conference believes that the moment is right to reaffirm our commitment to ethical and independent journalism, to defend the rights of journalists, and to call for fresh actions to remove all obstacles to the exercise of journalism.

 In this spirit and in support of the cause of peace and reconciliation which is overtaking the people of Korea and which should be encouraged in other troubled areas of the world, the IFJ and journalists at the Special Conference agree:

 That journalists and media must be encouraged to play a positive and active role, through professional and independent reporting, to ensure media  contribute to public participation in the building of peace on the Korean Peninsula and around the world;

 That journalists and media must be free to work professionally in their coverage of the ongoing peace process and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula;

 That all countries should remove legal obstacles to the exercise of free journalism, such as the  National Security Law in Korea, that hinders the press from reporting the truth. That the IFJ should campaign vigorously along with international bodies such as the U.N. in abolishing such laws.

 That people on the Korean Peninsula should be free to receive and impart information in line with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and that media should be freed from all political interference.

 That the IFJ must, at its upcoming Congress in Moscow, take note of this declaration and commit itself anew to the defence of journalists and to the improvement of their security and welfare.