«Construire la paix» et Liberté d’expression

Role of Free, Independent and Pluralistic Mediafor constructing the defences of peace

in the minds of men and women

Some examples on:

• I) Media and Conflict Prevention

• II) Media during Conflict

• III) Media and Reconstruction

in Post-conflict countries

by: A. Cairola / Freedom of expression, Democracy and Peace division / Communication and Information Sector

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I) Media and Conflict Prevention

Among Root Causes of Wars

Preventive Role of Free,Independent and Pluralistic Media

Examples ofUNESCO’s activities

«ignorance of eachothers ways and lives» (from UNESCO Constitution)

Promote «free flow of ideas by word and image».(from UNESCO Constitution)

Celebration of World Press FreedomDay (3 may)

Systematic violation of human rights

Freedom of expression is afundamental right for thepromotion and attainment of othercivil, political and human rights.

Support to freedom ofexpression advocates (f.i.: IFEX)

Lack of participation

and of communication

Empowering people throughaccess to information and knowledge.

Assisting the development of community media (tensof projects every yearsupported by the IPDC)

(to continue in next slide)

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I) Media and Conflict Prevention (continue)

Among Root Causes of wars (continues from previous slide)

Preventive Role of Free, Independent and Pluralistic Media

Examples of UNESCO’s activities

Inequalities, exclusion of groups, poverty, insecurity

Role of media in Promoting Transparency and Good Governance – link to achievement of MDGs.

Training on investigative reporting (f.i. in Albania, Nigeria)

“Hate speech” Antidote to hate speech is pure and simple professional journalism.

Supporting media professionals in developing self-regulatory code of conducts

…

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II) Media During Conflict

- Accurate and impartial reporting may reduce/resolveconflicts and their consequences (f.i.: correcting misperceptions and stereotypes, humanitarian info, reportson negotiations/peace-agreements’ implementation etc.)

- Precondition is

Safety of Journalists !

(Geneva Convention’s add. protocols: journalists=civilians,

Res 29C/29 «Condemnation of violence against journalists» adopted by the UNESCO’s GC in 1997, Medellin Declaration on WPFDSecurity Council resolution #1738)

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II) Media During Conflict (continue)

Examples of UNESCO’s activities:

• Safety training for reporters

(DRC, Iraq)• «Handbook for Journalists» with RSF• Promoting dialogue among media

professionals and co-productions (Middle East, Great Lakes, Somalia)

• Director-General’s statements

following the killing of a reporter

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III) Media and Reconstruction in Post-conflict countries

In post-conflict and transition countries, UNESCO, as lead UN agency for freedom of expression,

promotes a holistic approach in assisting the reconstruction and development

of a free, independent, pluralistic, non-partisan and professional media sector,

as well as universal access to information and ICTs.

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III) Media and Reconstruction in Post-conflict countries

‘Holistic approach’ includes assistance in:

1) media legislation reform according to international standards (in coordination with national/international media associations, partners, NGOs);

2) strengthening professional and safe journalism (training of media professionals and managers, support to media associations and freedom of expression advocates, ToTs, and capacity building of media training institutions);

3) media development (support to independent and community media, reform of State-media outlets into Public Service Broadcasters etc.);

(to continue in next slide)

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III) Media and Reconstruction in Post-conflict countries

4) ‘dialogue’ (promotion of cooperation, co-productions, exchange mechanisms among media professionals etc.);

5) universal access to information (preservation of audio-visual archives and libraries, increasing access to ICTs and the Internet);

6) promote fair and professional election coverage to allow citizens to make informed choices(training to enhance professional election reporting; advocacy to encourage full, fair and efficient disclosure of information).

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III) Media and Reconstruction in Post-conflict countries

• Afghanistan: projects for transformation of RTA into PSB and for the reconstruction of the Educational Radio-TV;

• DRC, Nepal: training during elections, assistance to law reform processes;

Examples of UNESCO’s activities IN PCPD:

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III) Media and Reconstruction in Post-conflict countries

• Central African Republic: Maison de la Presse;

• Rwanda: campus radio station at the National University in Butare

• Balkans: News exchange and coproduction Network among 12 Public Broadcasters in South East Europe (ERNO)

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«Construire la paix» et Liberté d’expression

Thank you for your attention!***

© AP from Internet)