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Press Release<BR>
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13.11.2003<BR>
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Geneva<BR>
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‘An Information Society without media is meaningless without media’, says Media Caucus.<BR>
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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.<BR>
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This is like planning a conference on agriculture without farmers. The Media Caucus affirms that an Information Society without the media is meaningless.<BR>
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The Media Caucus insists that there must be no regression from commitments that governments have previously made to free speech and media freedom. <BR>
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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.<BR>
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Available for further comment between 9am and 12noon, <BR>
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November 14th, 2003<BR>
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Tracey Naughton, Chair WSIS Civil Society Media Caucus<BR>
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+27 82 821 1771<BR>
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