MAY CHIDIAC COMING TO HOLLAND

May Chidiac, a popular Lebanese tv presenter, almost lost her life on 25 September 2005, when a bomb attached to her car was detonated. Earlier that day Chidiac had hosted a talk show in which she vented fears over further violence ahead of the UN report on the death of Rafik Hariri.

The Lebanese journalist lived to tell the tale, but it literally cost her a hand and a leg. On 3 May she was awarded the 2006 UNESCO / Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.

Ms Chidiac will be in the Netherlands on 7-8 June to attend the Netherlands - Conference for Arab Media Professionals, hosted by Free Voice. She will address and discuss the strategy to raise professional journalistic standards, legal awareness and freedom the press in the Arab world.

Among the other speakers invited are Mr. Fadi al-Qadi , director Middle East of Human Rights Watch, Mr. Mahmoud Abdulhadi of Al-Jazeera Media Training & Development Centre and Dr. Hala Mustafa of Al-Ahram will focus on the role of women in Arab media. The Dutch Minister of Development Corporation, Mrs. Agnes van Ardenne, will meet the Arab participants to the journalism conference.

More info: www.freevoice.nl