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Prospects for Future World Communication

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 July 2009

Henk Hartog
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Abstract

The international flow of information produced by international press agencies is discussed in this article. The author shows how the position of the Third World with respect to the alleged imbalances in the international communication infrastructure, both quantitative and qualitative, has led to two legal developments. On the one hand, the ‘right to communicate’ was formulated in addition to the traditionally recognized freedom of information. On the other hand, the concept of a New World Information Order has been developed. The ideological battle between the West and the Third World, which has dominated the discussion on these concepts since the early 1970s, should, according to the author, not impair the development of a viable technological infrastucture in the Third World. Development assistance could be used to give new and independent news agencies access to the international flow of information.

Type
Student Contributions
Information
Leiden Journal of International Law , Volume 2 , Issue 1 , May 1989 , pp. 64 - 77
Copyright
Copyright © Foundation of the Leiden Journal of International Law 1989

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References

1. Symposium “Mensenrechten, Media en Derde Wereld”, Stichting Derde Wereld Communicatie, April 22,1988, de Meervaart, Amsterdam.

2. In this article the term “Third World” will be used. The Third World, however, is not a homogenous entity. Rather, the nations grouped under that rubric reflect varying levels of development as well as divergent goals and resources. Significant differences in political philosophy, economic advancement, and cultural heritage exist among the various LDCs [Less Developed Countries]. At the same time, the LDCs are unified by a shared desire to steadily improve their standard of living, to build stable national economies, and to compete in the international marketplace while preserving their unique cultural identities. See Bortnick, J., International Information Flow: The Developing World Perspective, 14 Cornell International Law Journal 333 n. 1 (1981).Google Scholar

3. Council of Europe, European Conference of ‘Parliamentarians and Non-Governmental Organisations on North-South Interdependence and Solidarity, Madrid 1–3 June 1988.

4. See, e.g.. Hamelink, C.J, Informatie en Macht: over de samenhang tussen de toegang tot informatie en de uitoefening van maatschappelijke macht [Information and Power on the relation between access to information and the exercise of public power] (1984).Google Scholar

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6. The four Western press agencies are sometimes referred to as the ‘Big Four’.

7. International Commission for the Study of Communication Problems, Many Voices, One World 13 (1980). Hereinafter cited as MacBride Report The MacBride Commission consisted of sixteen independent experts in the field of information, communication and development aid. The Commission completed its work in 1979.

8. See Masmoudi, M., The New Worldlnformation Order, 29 Journal of Communication 172–185 (1979). Mustapha Masmoudi, former delegate to UNESCO and member of the MacBride Commission, was considered the leader of a group of Third World nations in UNESCO closely tied to Director-General M’ Bow and the UNESCO Secretariat.Google Scholar

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11. Lehmann, supra note 5, at 218.

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20. Id., at 17.

21. Id..

22. See UNGA Res. 59 (I), Art. 19 UDHR, Art 19 ICCPR, Art 10 European Convention of Human Rights, Art. 13 American Convention of Human Rights, Art 9 African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the Declaration on the Freedom of Expression and Information - Council of Europe.

23. Fisher, supra note 19, at 8.

24. D'Arcy, cited in MacBride, supra note 7, at 172–173, n.

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27. Id..

28. UNESCO Constitution, entered into force 4 November 1946.4 U.N.T.S. 275,61 Stat 2495, T.I.A.S. No. 1580, Art 1, para. 1.

29. Id., at Art. l,para.2(a).

30. UNESCO, Medium Term Plan (1977–1982), Objective 9.1 at 299, UNESCO doc. 19 C/4.

31. Vans, supra, note 26, at 144.

32. UNESCO, Guide to UNESCO 248 (1983).

33. Id., at 249.

34. Id., at 250.

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37. Young, M.A, Journalists Precariously Covering the Globe: International Attempts to Provide for Their Protection, 23 Virginia Journal of International Law 154 (1982).Google Scholar

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39. Lehmann, , supra note 5, at 234.Google Scholar

40. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Human Rights and Foreign Policy (TK 1978–1979,15 571, nos. 1–2) 123–130(1979).

41. Id., at 125.

42. Lehmann, supra note 5, at 237.

43. Young, supra note 37, at 154 n. 114.

44. UNESCO, supra note 32, at 251.