Dear Sacha,
My question is what we can do for now in a situation of having almost
completed documents. I don't know well what we can achieve in coming
PrepCom IIIA even if we prioritize some topics. Is it praying to look at
some miracle? This understanding is never exaggerating the situation at
hand, rather it is the fact. I will illustrate this by taking your
priority concerns as follows;
> 1. Restrictions on freedom of expression--including restrictions on
> press in various media
Maybe,what you are talking about is concerned with that phrase of
[independent pluralistic and free] in media related paragraph. Its status
is squre bracketed and even when it is to be accepted, the other
conditional phrase of [in accordance with the legal system of each country
and] would be simultaneously included. Therefore, the current status is
very disappointing. But we have only two options whether we would choose
both phrases or none of both.
47. [51] The existence of [independent pluralistic and free] media [in
accordance with the legal system of each country and] based on the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights [particularly on Articles 19 and 29]
is crucial to any conception of the Information Society. [Individuals and
media should have access to available information]/[Freedom of access to
and use of information for the creation, accumulation and dissemination of
knowledge are important principles of the Information Society.] [Pluralism
of information and diversity of media ownership should be encouraged].
Traditional media in all its forms will continue to have an important role
in the Information Society and ICTs should play a supportive role in this
regard. [Formulation of professional and ethical standards in journalism
is the responsibility of media professionals.]
> 2. Right of public to access broadcast resources--specifically right of
> public to broadcast through community radio, including equitable/fair
> distribution and access to broadcast frequencies
With regard to your concern of "community media", I have illustrated it in
my previous message. And regarding of the distribution of broadcast
frequencies, the current Declaration writes it in this way. Maybe, you can
easily understand what that phrase of "in accordance with principle of
legality, with full observance of national laws and regulation" does mean.
Then, this is more or less consensus (already done) paragraph among
governments.
36. [43] The radio frequency spectrum should be managed in the public
interest and in accordance with principle of legality, with full
observance of national laws and regulation as well as relevant
international agreements.
regards,
Chun
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Chun Eung Hwi
General Secretary, PeaceNet | phone: (+82) 2-2166-2205
Seoul Yangchun P.O.Box 81 | pcs: (+82) 019-259-2667
Seoul, 158-600, Korea | eMail: chun@peacenet.or.kr
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