Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. (Article 19, Universal Declaration of Human Rights)
Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice. (Article 19, UN resolution: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; March 1976)
This right is heavily violated in many countries, through censorship and suppression of information, by oppression and persecution of journalists and the media. State control of domestic media, and internet control are their favored means.
Access to information is a fundamental human right.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/press_freedom.htm
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. (Article 19, Universal Declaration of Human Rights)
Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice. (Article 19, UN resolution: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; March 1976)
This right is heavily violated in many countries, through censorship and suppression of information, by oppression and persecution of journalists and the media. State control of domestic media, and internet control are their favored means.
These countries fear the "fourth estate", the power behind the media and the information they might provide. RWB described it years ago: "Anyone out of step is harshly dealt with. A word too many, a commentary that deviates from the official line or a wrongly-spelled name and the author may be thrown in prison or draw the wrath of those in power. Harassment, psychological pressure, intimidation and round-the-clock surveillance are routine."
The lame excuse of the violators: The government knows best what is good for the people, we want to protect our people from bad influence, especially from outside. This argument is supported partly by the UN resolution: The right of information "may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary: (a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; (b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals."