The International Media Association for Peace recognizes the vital role that journalists play in guarding against totalitarianism and supporting the expansion of freedom. IMAP represents a worldwide professional network of journalists who support a socially responsible and moral media to convey accurate content, address the challenges of our time based on the highest principles of ethical journalism, and understanding that universal values are key elements of a world of peace.
Inaugural Resolution of the International Media Association for Peace (IMAP)
As participants in World Summit 2020, sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and convened in Seoul, Korea, on Feb. 2-7, 2020, on the theme, “Peace, Security and Human Development: Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values,” we affirm the need for responsible leadership and good governance in bringing about a world of lasting peace in which people of all nationalities, ethnicities, races, cultures and worldviews live together in mutual respect, harmony and cooperation.
We applaud the leadership of Dr. HakJa Han Moon and her late husband, Rev. Sun Myung Moon, for their vision and work over many decades to create “one family under God.” This includes their founding of UPF, an NGO in general consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, as well as major media outlets such as Segye Ilbo in Korea, Sekai Nippo in Japan, and The Washington Times in the United States.
Journalists play a vital role in guarding against totalitarianism and supporting the expansion of freedom. We believe that when media properly exercise their great power and influence, they can help secure freedom and peace for all humankind.
We propose to inaugurate the International Media Association for Peace, a project of the Universal Peace Federation, to work in conjunction with International Summit Council for Peace, International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace, Interreligious Association for Peace and Development, and the International Association for Peace and Economic Development.
Therefore, as participants in World Summit 2020 and the inaugural International Media Association for Peace conference, with the theme, “Establishing a Global Environment of Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values — The Role of the Media,”
Recognizing that humanity seeks to live in a peaceful world where universally shared values lead to mutual cooperation, and
Acknowledging the power of the media to defend freedom, oppose tyranny, and preserve God-given human rights and dignity,
We hereby affirm and resolve to uphold the following principles and objectives:
Promote self-governing, socially responsible and moral media.
Restore credibility of journalism by scrupulously pursuing accuracy, clear attribution from credible sources, ensuring fairness with inclusion of opposing viewpoints; removing personal bias from news articles; avoiding content that is degrading; and practicing respect for the dignity our audience.
Develop guidelines for media that promote the highest standards of reporting and editing.
Combat the erosion of personal privacy led by overbearing government and error-prone digital platforms.
Develop professional development programs for journalists, including those focusing on media ethics.
Establish recognition programs for excellence in journalism.
Build professional networks for journalists to foster a world of peace, cooperation, shared universal values, interdependence and mutual prosperity.
We, the undersigned, affirm and declare on this day our resolve to create a body of world media that conveys accurate content, addresses challenges of our time, is based on the highest principles of ethical journalism, and understands that universal values are key elements of a world of peace.
Signed this day, February 2, 2020, in Seoul, Korea.
