Following the November 2013 announcement that William Morris, Secretary General of The Next Century Foundation, has become Chairman of the International Communications Forum, the decision has been taken to merge the ICF with the International Council for Press and Broadcasting.
The ICPB was established by the Next Century Foundation in 2007. It incorporated the International Media Council (founded 2000) of the Next Century Foundation and the International Institute for Media Ethics (founded 2005). It was established to eliminate confusion caused following the establishment of a second International Media Council by the Davos World Economic Forum organisation in 2006. The merger with the International Communication Forum has seen all ICPB activities, including the Media Awards, move under the auspices of the ICF.
The International Media Council is committed to promoting, “peace through media”. Though it recognises that the business of publishers is to sell newspapers, it believes that the media has an ethical responsibility for encouraging harmony in today’s Middle East. Convinced that the honesty or dishonesty in the media affects the mental health of the world, the Council believes that freedom of expression has a price. This price is continual vigilance – in particular vigilance in identifying and exposing the encouragement of malice or war, and the incitement of hatred in print and image.
2014 marks the 10th year of the annual International Media Awards. Recent events have shown us not only the power of conventional mass media, but also the increasing ability of non-professionals to create positive political currents. The International Media Awards are a salute to the importance of both these forces, designed to reinforce their impact through the promotion of accurate and responsible reportage. The bring together figures active in all forms of conventional and non-conventional media, and from all over the Middle East, a testament to the peaceful dialogue in that region.
Under the terms of the merger between the ICPB and the ICF, all ICPB activity, including the management and hosting of the Media Awards will come under the jurisdiction of the International Communications Forum with immediate effect.
The shortlist for the 2014 awards will soon be compiled, with the Awards due to be held in London on May 10, 2014.
More information on the International Media Awards, including details of past award ceremonies can be found on:
http://internationalmediaawards.org/
