5 August, VIENNA. The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network for a free media, and the Salzburg-based Center for International Legal Studies (CILS), announce the international conference, “The War on Words – Terrorism, Media and the Law,” to be held in Vienna, Austria, from 5-6 October 2009.

The two-day conference will bring together leading journalists, lawyers, human rights advocates, and security and counter-terrorism experts from Europe, North America, Asia and Africa to discuss the impact of the fight against terrorism on civil liberties, in particular freedom of expression and press freedom.

Panel sessions will focus on government efforts to broaden their law enforcement powers in the name of security, the watchdog role of the media, and the relationship between freedom of expression and religious tolerance.

“This conference will provide a welcome forum to discuss the complexities of the fight against terrorism and the effects on media freedom,” said conference coordinator Michael Kudlak. “Have attempts by Western governments to broaden their law enforcement powers in the name of security curtailed civil liberties and muzzled the media? Have they set a negative example for autocratic regimes to emulate? Do anti-terror measures affect the ability of the media to carry out its watchdog role?”

Sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), among others, the conference will be held at the prestigious Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.

For further information, or to register, visit the conference webpage: www.freemedia.at/waronwords

or contact:

Michael Kudlak

Senior Conference Coordinator

Tel: +43 1 – 512 90 11

Cell: + 43-676-425 90 14

E-mail: mkudlak@freemedia.at

www.freemedia.at