Seymour Topping
[Series] Abstracts of the speakers’ presentation at the Humanity Conference.
Panelist :
Seymour Topping
Administrator of the Pulitzer Prizes and Professor of Columbia University, of Journalism
Mission and Role of Press in 21st Century
We will refer to the Declaration of Humanity throughout this conference. It is a call for the end of conflicts and the abuse of the Earth’s resources. How can we practically send such a message to every individual? Fortunately, in terms of communication technology, globalization has already become a reality. The media and development of the internet allows individuals and organizations like NMPF to exert a lot more influence than was possible before.
However in countries like Iran or Afghanistan where the press is controlled, people cannot access information freely, thus development of the spirituality of individuals cannot be guaranteed. This is why independence and freedom of the media must be secured around the world. The role of the press in evaluating information cannot be replaced by technology. The mission of the press is to reflect a true image of ourselves, helping us to know what must be done in order to secure the future of humankind and the Earth.
[At a press interview]
The experience of witnessing and reporting on conflicts in many areas of the world has led me to the conclusion that conflict cannot be avoided, and existing governments and organizations do not have the power to stop them. I think we need ‘something new’, and I expect that something new will emerge from the Humanity Conference. I joined this conference to support global peace and to discuss how to attain it.
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