Aug 12 2008
Salzburg Academy on Media and Global Change — Day 13
August 12, 2008, Salzburg, Austria
By Walyce Almeida, Dana Janbek & Moses Shumow
Edward Mortimer, vice president of the Salzburg Global Seminar, discussed his experience at the United Nations, first as speechwriter of Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General of the United Nations, and later as director of communications.
Mortimer, who has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years, said his time at UN was challenging. He had to learn to span between the demands of the media and the goals and strategies of the United Nations.
He mentioned some controversial UN efforts, such as the “Oil for Food” program, and the impact on him.
Mortimer said he was familiar with the bureaucratic nature of UN, but when he saw himself at the heart of the scandal, he realized the real power and authority of the media.
Photo caption: Edward Mortimer
Courtesy of Salzburg Global Seminar
