Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-l7hp2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T14:46:45.767Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Prospects for Future World Communication

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 July 2009

Henk Hartog
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

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

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

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

5. Lehmann, R.A, The Human Right to Communicate, 4 New York Law School Journal of International Law and Politics 217 (1982).Google Scholar

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

9. This last point refers to the subject of preservation of a nation's cultural identity. See, e.g., Mitchell, J.M, International Cultural Relations 17 (1986): “National Identity is reinforced by cultural identity”Google Scholar; Mattelart, A.Cultural Imperialism in the Multinational Age, 6 Instant Research on Peace and Violence 160–74 (1976);Google ScholarGoulet, D., In Defense of Cultural Rights, 3 Human Rights Quarterly (1981).Google Scholar

10. Reddy, G., IPS editorial policy and practice, paper presented to Dutch media representatives, Amsterdam, 17 April 1986: “[Inter Press Service] is committed to producing international coverage of processes and events relevant to third world political, economic and social development, as far as possible from the perspective of the third world (…) DPS’ primary objective is to create significant and effective South-South and South-North information flows. We can also provide coverage of the North for the South”.Google Scholar

11. Lehmann, supra note 5, at 218.

12. Reiffers, J.Let al. (eds.), Transnational Corporations and Endogenous Development 218 (1982).Google Scholar

13. See, e.g., MacPhail, T.L & Brenda, MacPhail, The International Politics of Communications: Resolving the North-South Dilemma, 42 International Journal 289–319 (1987)Google Scholar and Savage, G.J & Zacher, M.J, Freeflow versus prior consent: thejurisdictional battle over international telecommunications, 42 International Journal 342–363 (1987).Google Scholar

14. See, e.g., M'Baye, K., Le droit au développement comme un droit l'homme, Revue des droits de rhomme 503–534 (1972).Google Scholar

15. Drzewicki, K., The Rights of Solidarity-the Third Revolution of Human Rights, 53 Nordisk Tidsskrift for International Ret 26 (1984).Google Scholar

16. Wright, Q, Relationship Between Different Categories of Human Rights, Human Rights: Comments and Interpretations 147 (1949).Google Scholar

17. Vasak, K., A 30-Year Struggle, 30 UNESCO Courier 29 (1977).Google Scholar

18. d'Arcy, J., The Right to Communicate, Richstead, J. and M. Anderson (eds.), Crisis in International News 121 (1981).,Google Scholar

19. Fisher, D., The Right to Communicate: A Status Report 5 (1981).Google Scholar

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.

25. Anawalt, H.C, The Right to Communicate, 13 Denver Journal of International Law and Policy 220 n. 6 (1984).Google Scholar

26. Vans, T., World Information Order, 4 Instant Research on Peace and Violence 143 (1976).Google Scholar

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.

35. Bormick, J., supra note 2,at 347.Google Scholar

36. Theberge, L. J, UNESCO's “New Worldlnformation Order”: Colliding with First Amendment Values, 67 American Bar Association Journal 715–6 (1981)Google Scholar. Rutkowski reacted as follows: “Suggestions in Mr. Theberge's article (…) are hysterical misperceptions that can seriously erode the international credibility of the American Legal profession”. Rutkowski, A.M, More on the “New World Information Order”, 67 ABAJ 1274 (1981).Google Scholar

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

38. UNESCO, Declaration on Fundamental Principles Concerning the Contribution of Mass Media to Strengthening Peace and International Understanding, to the Promotion of Human Rights and to Countering Racialism, Apartheid and Incitement to War (1979), adopted 22 November 1978.

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.