ORIGINS, DEVELOPMENT AND PHILOSOPHY

Founded in 1991, the International Communications Forum is a growing world-wide network of media people who recognise that they have the power to influence society for good or ill and who want to play their part in building a less corrupt, less grubby-minded and infinitely more compassionate world. In this way, the Forum believes it can help to create the moral basis of society without which democracy cannot flourish.

Many media organizations have a worldwide basis, focused mainly on professional problems. Uniquely, the ICF believes first and foremost in a person-to-person, conscience-to-conscience dialogue. Those inspired by the ICF are aware that they are not only media professionals but are above all human beings and citizens addressing other human beings and citizens. The media is more than a conventional business, making money with a product sold to a consumer. If we who work in the media do not serve the citizen with honesty and dedication democracy is in danger. The ICF’s conviction is that we in the media ought to give the people all they need not only to understand what is happening around them but also to understand each other, even those who are far away. Last but not least, those inspired by the ICF are expected to show in their day-to-day activity that they are striving to implement in deeds the principles they care for.

This conviction can be seen in the way the ICF’s Forums are organized. Unlike conventional conferences the ICF’s Forums are a unique occasion of sharing experiences. Those attending share in a common reflection between colleagues, seeking better ways of serving their profession and the people. We do not preach or promote a set of rules. We do not pretend to know better. The Forums do not end with the closure of the conference, but serve to build an ever-growing network of people of good will in the media linked by solidarity and friendship. The same principles apply to other parts of our programme. The ICF is indeed a truly exceptional phenomenon in the media.

OBJECTIVES

ICF has four specific objectives:

1. To challenge those engaged in films, videos, television, newspapers, books, magazines, music, the theatre, public relations and advertising to promote a culture based on honest, clean and fair values.

2. To inspire those who work in these areas to provide knowledge and entertainment that will enrich and elevate young and old alike.

3. To encourage those who supply news and information to report and interpret situations in such a way that everyone can have confidence in what they read, hear and view - and that, in the process, no one has his or her privacy improperly infringed.

4. To stimulate publishers to uplift and not to degrade their readers, and to make the promotion of the highest values of civilisation their main objective.

A profound statement of ICF’s vision of the role of the media in the 21st century is embodied in the Sarajevo Commitment, promulgated in that city at a Forum organised by ICF in 2000.

Click here to read the Commitment