[Media Caucus] Fwd: Annan stresses ensuring free and open content in new technologies

[arne]

>
> This press release may be freely distributed.
> For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
>
> ANNAN STRESSES VALUE OF ENSURING FREE AND OPEN CONTENT IN NEW
> TECHNOLOGIES
>
> New York, Apr 21 2004  3:00 PM
>
> If the communications revolution is to open doors rather than close
> them, policy-makers must support the providers of content so that they
> are guaranteed freedom of expression, United Nations Secretary-General
> Kofi Annan told an Asian media summit in Kuala Lumpur today.
>
> In a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=883"> message 
> delivered
> on his behalf by Shashi Tharoor, the Under-Secretary-General for
> Communications and Public Information, Mr. Annan said the development 
> of
> new technologies is making information more widely available than ever,
> and introducing new voices into debates.
>
> But he said the new information and communication technologies should
> never be considered as ends in themselves.
>
> "Ultimately, 'what' is communicated is far more important than 'how'
> something is communicated," he said. The three-day summit in Kuala
> Lumpur concluded today.
>
> Stressing the dramatic impact being wrought by new technologies,
> including the Internet, Mr. Annan's message emphasized the importance 
> of
> ensuring that those technologies are used to promote tolerance instead
> of division.
>
> "None of this will come about by accident...freedom is not only a human
> right; it is also an indispensable condition for economic and social
> progress."
>
> Mr. Annan urged policy-makers attending the Asian media summit to play
> an active role in the debate ahead of the second phase of the World
> Summit on the Information Society, which is scheduled to take place in
> Tunisia next year.
>
>
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