The conference will focus on countries where the uprisings have not succeeded and on those where they have, but where freedoms are still fragile. Media freedom and freedom of expression will be an important part of the discussion. You will meet prominent speakers from the Arabic world and beyond, as well as from Norway. The conference will treat important issues related to the Arab Spring: about the historic roots; intervention policy, freedom of expression, the role of social and traditional media, and challenges for journalism.

09.30 – 10.00: Registration
10.00 – 10.15: Opening, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide and organisers.
10.15 – 12.00: I) Behind the Stories: Covering Revolutions. Moderator: Elisabeth Eide.
Ahmad Sheikh, Al Jazeera/Qatar; Quatrina Hussain, Express-TV/Pakistan; Sidsel Wold, NRK/Norway; Ammar Al-Hamdan, Al Jazeera/Norway
Discussion
12.00 – 12.30: The Significance of Freedom: Arab Women and Revolution. A film project. Truls Lie, Le Monde Diplomatique
12.30 – 13.30: Lunch
13.30 – 15.00: II) Social Media: Overrated, underrated? National Varieties
Moderator: Kristin Skare Oregret. Walid al Saqaf, Univ of Örebro/Sweden; Amal Wahab, Klassekampen/Cairo; Fredrik Græsvik, TV2/Norway
Discussion
15.00 – 15.30: Coffee break
15.30 – 17.00: III) Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom. How Free?
Moderator: Norwegian P.E.N. Kamel Labidi, NARIC*/Tunisia; Ghias Aljundi, International PEN/Syria; Dag Herbjørnsrud, Ny Tid/Norway.
Discussion

*NARIC is the National Independent Authority for Reform of Information and Communication, in Tunisia, set up after the revolution.