Remarks by the Chargé d'Affaires, a.i., Robert P. Jackson

at ISIC Awards Ceremony Workshop 

"Neutralizing Stereotypes through Photojournalism"

Rabat, May 6, 2009    

 

Mr. Minister, Dr. Sami, Ms. Muskin, photojournalists, students, honored guests: 

      I want to thank our partners in this project, Search for Common Ground, and l'Institut Superieur de l'Information and de la Communication (ISIC) [pronunciation: "isik"], for their outstanding efforts in organizing and executing this ground-breaking workshop.  This was a pilot project, but its evident success encourages us to seek avenues to expand our relationship with both ISIC and Search for Common Ground. 

      And I want to thank all the participants, both professional photojouarnalists and journalism students.  You have chosen a noble profession, and by doing so, you are making an enormous contribution to Morocco's future. 

      The press plays a fundamental role in democratic societies, by helping build, sustain and monitor their institutions.  Last Sunday, May 3, we celebrated World Press Freedom Day, established in 1993 by the United Nations in recognition of the important role a free press plays in preserving open and just societies, and the courageous individuals who risk their lives protecting this ideal by expressing their opinions in their own countries.  

      Thomas Jefferson, our third president and the author of our Declaration of Independence, once famously said: "were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” The importance of the press is underscored by the fact that the First Amendment of our Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of the press, and freedom of expression. 

      With freedom comes responsibility.  This is especially true for journalists, as they wield enormous power both to promote progress and positive values, and to sow hatred and anger.  We've seen this happen, in Rwanda, for example, where radio journalists were complicit in sparking the genocide that claimed 800,000 lives.  Thus, for journalists, their principal responsibility is the ethical practice of their profession. 

      Indeed, one of most important roles an ethical journalist can play in his or her society is to break down stereotypes, to challenge people to see themselves and the world around them differently.  We see here today some excellent examples; the photojournalists and students who participated in the workshop have shown us a new face of Moroccan artisanat, one rarely seen by tourists and never depicted on postcards. 

      To promote professionalism in journalism, the U.S. Embassy in Rabat has long been dedicated to offering and financing training opportunities for both aspiring and professional journalists, in subjects as varied as journalistic ethics, to the use of e-Journalism and citizen journalism, to techniques for hosting a radio talk-show.  We chose to sponsor this project in recognition of the critical importance of photojournalism, and the fact that it remains a profession with great potential in Morocco.  The U.S. Embassy focuses in particular on young and regional journalists, who have few training opportunities; in this regard, I was especially pleased to hear that photojournalists from as far away as Ouarzazate and Tangier were able to come to Rabat and spend the week participating in this program. 

      In conclusion, I want to congratulate you in your successful completion of this workshop.  I wish you the best of luck in your future journalistic endeavors