PeaceTV

HJ Global News. March 28, 2020

 

  The International Media Association for Peace (IMAP)

For a Peaceful World of Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity

and Universal Values

 

 

 

True Father:

More than ever before

the pen is mightier than the sword.

I have always believed that the media

must be free,

 

that a free press must also be a

responsible press,

and that a responsible press is a moral

press.

What do I mean by moral media?

Moral media is society’s conscience.

 

In line with True Parents’ ideals and their emphasis on the role of the press in encouraging peace or war, the launching of a network of peace journalists took place under the banner of the Universal Peace Federation and its chapters in 190 countries.

 

Transcending faiths, True Parents provide a vision for all areas of human life and shine a light on the values of interdependence, mutual prosperity and universal values. Stressing the important mission of the press as a defender of democracy and world peace by virtue of its role in relation to the legislative, judicial and executive branches, in 1975 True Parents founded The Sekkai Nippo and later other media outlets, including The Washington Times, another influential newspaper.

 

In 1978, seeking to communicate and propose an ideal image of the media, they launched the World Media Conference and presented their vision to reporters and journalists from major media outlets around the world.

 

In 1990, for example, amidst Cold War tensions, they held an exclusive meeting with Gorbachev, opening the door for a major breakthrough in relations between Korea and the Soviet Union. The 11th World Media Conference took place in Moscow, with the support of a group of on-site investigative journalists. This event contributed to the end of the Cold War; participating journalists still sense that they were responding to the most critical issue of the time.

 

At this year’s media conference, participants launched the International Media Association for Peace (IMAP) to commemorate the centenary of True Father’s birth and the 60th anniversary of True Parents' Holy Wedding. "The Role of the Media in Realizing a World of Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values" was the theme that attracted around 520 journalists from 71 countries.

Welcoming Remarks: Thomas Walsh, Chairman of UPF International:

We look forward to collaborating together and truly applying our experience, our wisdom, our skills particularly in the sphere of the media….

 

Welcoming Remarks: Mr. Jung, Hee-taeg, President, Segye Ilbo

The productive and creative discussions of all of us gathered here will be a great foundation for a sustainable and peaceful world.

 

Welcoming Remarks: Mr. Tom McDevitt, Chairman of The Washington Times

If there were fifteen or twenty thousand journalists from all ages and all countries in the world who cared about making a difference, applying excellence in their craft of journalism, we can truly make a difference.

 

Welcoming Remarks: Masahiro Kuroki, President of Sekai Nippo

We need to exert intellectual power of journalism which relies on Heaven’s intervention.

 

After welcoming remarks that emphasized the significance and value of the event, journalists, government ministers and the mayor of Seoul gave congratulatory speeches.

 

Congratulatory Remarks: Lee Byung Gyu, President of the Newspaper Association

The more peace is threatened, the more important the role of the media becomes.

If a vision and solution for humanity is presented through interdependence, mutual prosperity and universal values, the current crisis can be turned in one shot and a happier global village will emerge.

Congratulatory Remarks: Park Yang Woo, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism

I think it's very significant that journalists from all over the world meet here on the Korean Peninsula, the only divided country in the world, and share their views on the role of the media in the realization of peace.

 

Congratulatory Remarks: Park Won Sun, Mayor of Seoul

At a time like the present, when a new virus is shaking the world, we are disturbed by "fake news" with its incitement to insecurity, fear and more misinformation. It divides people through confusion and hatred. Paradoxically, it makes us aware of the importance of journalism.

 

The keynote address by Cliff Stearns, a former US Congressman, emphasized the media’s important role in crusading for social justice and in promoting the value of respectful collaboration. He warned that decimation of fake news is increasingly easy. Thus, IMAP could make widely known a code of conduct that will set a standard.

 

n  Some other Speakers:

Keynote Address: Hon. Cliff Stearns, Member of U.S. Congress (1989–2013)

Keynote Address: Dr. Shin Jai Won, Vice-President, Hyundai Motors

 

Dr. Shin Jai Won, Vice-President of Hyundai Motors, spoke about the challenge of these times, when we cannot predict in what areas of life dramatic changes will come due to technological developments. We have been experiencing life-altering developments due to disruptive technology, a byproduct of the digital revolution.

 

Ø  Session 1: Disruptive Innovation in Media

Ø  Session 2: The Challenges of Journalism

Ø  Session 3: Launch of the International Media Association for Peace (IMAP)

 

A discussion panel deliberated on the mission of journalists in creating a world of peace, interdependence, mutual prosperity and universal values.

Debates on disruptive innovation in the media and the challenges of journalism followed the discussion panel.

Mr. Juan Senor, President, Innovation Media Consulting

Fake news is saving journalism. There is so much content that is so bad out there, that it is worth paying to cut through the rubbish and this is the positioning that is saving the newspapers and quality news and content magazine. When you actually tell readers, I am in the business of credibility and telling the truth.

 

Session 2 - Han Gyu Sup, Professor of Journalism, Seoul National University

I can tell you that the crisis in the Korean press is due to extreme political friction. In fact, political division is a global phenomenon. Extremist ideological marketing is undermining the credibility of the press.

 

Mr. Thomas Schellen, Editor at Large for Executive Magazine

What I see from you here, are the kind of journalism which can run this IMAP organization into becoming a change factor.

 

The 3^rd and last session addressed press issues on different continents and in different regions. Representatives had come from Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Middle East. The participants listened to presentations by media experts.

 

They spoke of the current direction of the media, the reality and responsibility of the press, which is at a crossroads and agreed to build a cooperative system to help the media in its leading role. As a result, the assembly of journalists reviewed and adopted the IMAP Founding Resolution that called for a world of peace and peaceful reunification on the Korean Peninsula.

 

IMAP participants also attended the February 3 half-day event to celebrate Segye Ilbo’s 31st anniversary, which included over 500 national political figures and heads of religious groups.

 

For the past 31 years, Segye Ilbo was highly appraised for working with representatives from the both the ruling and opposition parties, creating a global network and exploring ways to bring about peace on the Korean Peninsula and the world.

 

At this milestone, Segye Ilbo executives and employees, promised to keep working towards the realization of an ideal world of interdependence, mutual prosperity and universal values as well as to bring about the era of a heavenly unified Korea and peace on the Korean Peninsula. They long to overcome environmental problems and to restore family values. They presented a plan to become public opinion leaders and to fully accomplish their role as a media outlet.

 

The Media has the power, in guaranteeing freedom and peace for all!

 

The International Media Association for Peace, created thanks to the foundation that UPF has in a 190 countries, while exercising freedom and responsibility, will fulfil the role and mission of a moral media group, to create a peaceful world of interdependence, mutual prosperity and universal values.

 

■ International Media Association for Peace (IMAP)