[Media Caucus] Press release just sent out from PrepCom 3A

[Tracey Naughton]

Press Release

13.11.2003

Geneva

 

ŒAn Information Society without media is meaningless without media¹, says
Media Caucus.

 

The Media Caucus of the Civil Society in the preparations for the World
Summit on the Information Society is profoundly distressed that governmental
negotiations on draft texts for the Summit appear to have broken down over
including statements reaffirming freedom of expression and press freedom.
There is also lack of agreement over designating the media as a stakeholder
in the Information Society.

 

This is like planning a conference on agriculture without farmers. The Media
Caucus affirms that an Information Society without the media is meaningless.

     

The Media Caucus insists that there must be no regression from commitments
that governments have previously made to free speech and media freedom.

 

Further, the Media Caucus expressed its shock over the virtual exclusion of
freelance journalists from accreditation to the Summit. The Caucus join in
the protest on this made by the International Federation of Journalists.

 

 

Available for further comment between 9am and 12noon,

November 14th, 2003

 

Tracey Naughton, Chair WSIS Civil Society Media Caucus

+27 82 821 1771

 

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