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Who We AreSkeyes Center for Media and Cultural FreedomThe Samir Kassir eyes (SKeyes) Center was established
in Beirut in November 2007 at the initiative of the Samir Kassir Foundation,
which was founded following the assassination of Lebanese journalist and
historian Samir Kassir on June 2, 2005. The center’s principal goals are twofold, to monitor violations of freedom of the press and culture on the one hand, and defend the rights and freedom of expression of journalists and intellectuals on the other. Scope of Work From its head office in Beirut and through its network
of correspondents, SKeyes activities cover four Middle Eastern countries:
Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan. The center’s website
(www.skeyesmedia.org) publishes information and reports on press and cultural
freedom in these four countries. Ultimately, SKeyes aims to cover the entire
Arab world. Goals SKeyes aims to defend press and cultural freedom in
the Middle East and promote the establishment of an Arab public opinion that is
able to protect freedom of expression. The center has two missions : 1 – To monitor the violations against freedom of the press
and culture in various fields: press, audiovisual media, blogs, books, theater,
cinema, as well as academic and scientific research. 2 – To act within the framework of civil society to
defend freedoms through all legal means, and build effective media and cultural
pressure groups on the Arab and international levels. Actions SKeyes intends to achieve these goals through the: 1.
Publication of press releases and
reports; dissemination of information pertaining to specific cases of violation
of press and cultural freedom. 2.
Organization of workshops to analyze
and discuss press and cultural freedom related issues, and adopt concrete
recommendations. 3.
Organization of exhibitions and
conferences on press and cultural freedom related issues. 4.
Elaboration of petitions signed by
journalists and intellectuals, and participation in the organization of campaigns
to protect freedom of expression. 5.
Provision of legal support to
journalists and intellectuals facing prosecution, undue charges and prison, through
dedicated lawyers defending them in courts if necessary. 6.
Provision of financial and moral
support to jailed journalists and intellectuals. 7.
Ongoing coordination with local and
international committees that defend journalism, culture and human rights. Publications 1.
The SKeyes website (www.skeyesmedia.org) publishes press
releases and reports on the center’s activities and the situation of press and
cultural freedom on the Arab and international level. Various other reports and
studies on media and culture in the Arab world are also available on the site. 2.
A quarterly newsletter serving as a
forum for free expression in the Arab world. 3.
Brochures and books about seminars, workshops
and conferences organized by the center. Work Structure The Board of Directors, whose members are appointed by
the Samir Kassir Foundation, oversees the activities of the center and prepares
its action plan. It includes seven members: Khaled Hroub, Farouk Mardam-Bey,
Nada Moghaizel, Gisèle Khoury, Maroun Labaki, Saoud al-Mawla and Elias Khoury. SKeyes staff uphold various research and administrative
responsibilities and take part in all activities that the center organizes, in
a democratic atmosphere that guarantees collective decision-making and
individual responsibility. A publishing office oversees the four areas that the
center covers (Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria). A researcher manages the
network of correspondents, who provide the center with accurate information
based on their sources and connections to the press and cultural actors in
their country. As an information center and an active protector of journalists
and intellectuals, SKeyes is committed to the highest accuracy, objectivity and
professionalism standards. Operating Environment Press and intellectual activities in the Arab world
face great difficulties that are linked to the prevailing political realities.
On the one hand, the Israeli occupation, through its continuing violations of
human rights, provides an example of the challenges faced by proponents of press
and cultural freedom. On the other hand, censorship of the press and cultural
productions, cultural repression, as well as the state of emergency declared in
many Arab countries, represent major obstacles for freedom of expression and
respect for human rights. Outlook SKeyes strives to involve the largest number of
journalists and intellectuals in its activities. It organizes conferences,
exhibitions and meetings, and calls on journalists and intellectuals who are
victims of abuse to get in touch with its office in Beirut. It opens its doors
to any independent activity related to the defense of freedom of expression. Not only does the defense of the rights of journalists
and intellectuals involve the fight against censorship and repression of power,
it also includes the defense of their professional rights vis-à-vis media and
publishing companies. The success of our activities is measured by our ability to generate voluntary work and create an atmosphere that allows journalists and intellectuals to work freely and defend the justness of their causes. For all these reasons, SKeyes is a democratic voice and a tool for journalists and intellectuals in the Arab world. The Team Ayman Mhanna: Executive Director – amhanna@skeyesmedia.org Maya Azar: Events Coordinator – mazar@skeyesmedia.org Joseph El-Hachem: Editing Coordinator – jelhachem@skeyesmedia.org Rima Awad: Researcher (Lebanon) – rawad@skeyesmedia.org Widad Jarbouh: Researcher (West Bank and Gaza) – wjarbouh@skeyesmedia.org Wajih Ajouz: Researcher (Syria) – wajouz@skeyesmedia.org Firas Talhouk: Researcher (Jordan and 1948 Territories) – ftalhouk@skeyesmedia.org Salim Al-Lawzi: Webmaster – sallawzi@skeyesmedia.org Nada Sleiman: Translator – nsleiman@skeyesmedia.org |
