[Media Caucus] CS benchmarks doc

Wed Nov 26 00:18:47 GMT 2003

Dear Steve and All --

To avoid further problems and disputes, I submit that we should stick
pretty strictly to language or accurate paraphrase of our consensus
document on the draft declaration. Your language is open to the same
objections you made to mine. The language on concentration in the version I
submitted was lifted word for word or nearly so from our consensus. It is
the language that the IAB, IAPA and IFJ had agreed to live with and
accordingly should not be changed, given that concentration was their main
bone of contention.

Conceding that government information services can communicate their
messages was an attempt to meet objections of governmental delegations that
a call for transformation of ALL state media would leave governments
voiceless and is accordingly unacceptable to them. But I'm not particularly
attached to that point.

Our original text left open whether state media would be turned into public
service and/or private by speaking only of "editorially independent media
organizations." I propose that we stick with that, to cut short further
discussion amongst us on that point.

I have no problems with Steve's first sentence on Art. 19 and the last
sentence on security since I think they accurately reflect the spirit of
what we had agreed upon. 

Best, Rony

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From: INTERNET:media at wsis-cs.org, INTERNET:media at wsis-cs.org
To: , INTERNET:media at wsis-cs.org
Date: Tue, Nov 25, 2003 8:47:20 PM

RE: [Media Caucus] CS benchmarks doc

Dear all

Work is going to be needed this week and next on the civil society draft 
vision statement so we need to close discussion in the media caucus on the 
civil society benchmarks document which sets out key non-negotiables.

The present draft paragraph reads:

"While allowing for government information services to communicate their 
message, state-controlled media at the national level should be transformed

into editorially independent public service media organisations and/or 
privatised. Efforts which encourage pluralism and diversity of media 
ownership must be encouraged to avoid excessive media concentration."

In light of the discussion last week I propose this be replaced with:

"Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the touchstone 
for an independent, pluralistic and free media. Media pluralism and 
diversity should be guaranteed through appropriate laws to hinder the abuse

of media concentration. State controlled media should be transformed into 
editorially independent public service organisations. Security and other 
considerations should not  compromise freedom of expression, media freedom 
and access to information."

This does not cover all of the issues we may want to see in the final civil

society vision statement but the language is consistent with previous media

caucus wording and I think it covers the essentials for the civil society 
benchmarks doc.

Any objections?

Steve

------------------------------------------------------------
            steve at commedia.org.uk
------------------------------------------------------------
         http://www.commedia.org.uk
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