UH West Oahu Media Specialist Named to World Association of Press Councils

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Shawn Nakamoto, (808) 956-9095
Director of Public Relations
Kristen Cabral, (808) 956-5039
Public Information Officer
Posted: Feb 25, 2002

Chris Conybeare, faculty and media specialist for the University of Hawai'i-West Oahu, has been elected as vice president for the executive board of the World Association of Press Councils (WAPC).

The WAPC is an international organization made up of 17 Press Councils as institutional members and associate members from an additional four countries. Conybeare will represent the Honolulu Community Media Council in his role as WAPC vice president.

According to Conybeare, "I see my activity as supporting the WAPC's goal of seeking to promote freedom of expression and its corollary - freedom of the media - as basic human rights. I look forward to meeting the challenges of advancing this cause."

Among the goals of the WAPC is that freedom of the press and freedom of expression are inviolable human rights. Under international law, freedom of the press is not simply freedom for journalists, editors, or proprietors; rather it is the right of all citizens to be informed on all matters of public interest. The right to free speech is the cornerstone of democracy and development.

The WAPC believes in the responsibility and accountability of the media, holding it to the highest ethical standards. WAPC also supports efforts by the United Nations and agencies like UNESCO to promote international peace, tolerance, cooperation and understanding.