MONGOLIAN JOURNALISTS DISCUSS FUTURE OF MEDIA INDUSTRY

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The Confederation of Mongolian Journalists (CMJ) will elect new leadership at its 17th Congress, which is taking place on February 8. The Confederation’s code of conduct will be modified at the Congress, which addresses the current state of journalism industry, its development and future. The 16th Congress was held in 2015. More than 300 journalists representing over 400 media organizations active in the country are participating in the Congress. The oldest representative of the Congress is 87 year-old Kh.Tsevlee whereas the youngest attendee is a 23-year-old journalist. The CMJ, established in 1951, is the central body uniting all media organizations in the country. There are more than 3,000 people working in Mongolian media. CMJ President G.Galaarid delivered the main presentation of the Congress, in which he discussed the current state of media industry in Mongolia, the CMJ and its activities and solutions to the existing challenges in media. 2018 marks the 105th anniversary of Mongolian journalism, which gained freedom of speech after the Democratic Revolution in 1990. “There have been a number of achievements as well as challenges in the development of professional journalism in Mongolia since 1990. For instance, independence of media has not been legalized yet, and it has become the main criticism point from the general public. We also need to look back on professional ethics. We must re-authenticate freedom of speech and should concern about faltering of conventional journalism,” he observed. B.Galaarid served as CMJ President since December 10, 2011. The President also reported on the accomplishments during his two terms and named some measures that ought to be taken in the near future. “The CMJ must be legally accredited as the central organization. A powerful and professional central body is needed to broaden the scope of journalism in Mongolia,” he said. The outgoing President also suggested that the CMJ be financed by the state budget. The CMJ has recently moved into its very own office. “What solutions do we have?” he asked. The President believes that the attitude towards government-media cooperation must be changed. “We must create conditions for continued support of media despite of elections results. The development of free press must be included in the SDGs,” he noted. CMJ Executive Director S.Altantsetseg also reported on the achievements of the Confederation. The CMJ has received more than 400 official letters and requests for the last three years since the last Congress. The Confederation also launched its website in English and Mongolian languages. A Council on Gender has been established under the Confederation as well. The Executive Director named several other works the CMJ accomplished in the last three years before concluding her presentation. “I call for all journalists to strive for promoting Mongolia and preserve the good name of Mongolia with every word they write,” she said. Moreover, B.Ariunzaya, MONTSAME correspondent and Secretary of the Steering Committee delivered a presentation. The Congress continues in the Citizen's Hall of the capital city administration office. Kh.Aminaa