Public Service Broadcasting Essential for Democracy Says Amman Workshop
22-07-2003 ()
Public service broadcasting is an important element of society and of citizen's participation in the public life and sustainable democratic development said the participants of a three day UNESCO workshop on "Public Service Broadcasting and the Civil Society in the Arab Region", that ended last Thursday in Amman, Jordan.
Based on the Sana'a Declaration and Plan of Action for promoting independent and pluralistic Arab media, adopted in 1996, and on the Rabat Declaration, adopted in 2000, the meeting that was opened by Jordan's Information Minister Mohammed Affash Al Adwan, brought together representatives of Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, Syria and Yemen
The Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), Article XIX, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the World Radio and Television Council (WRTVC) were also represented.
The main objectives of the workshop were to share experiences and expertise, to promote the concept of public service broadcasting (PSB), to study the legislative framework for the establishment and operation of PSB, to underscore the cultural and educational functions of these broadcasters and to promote strategic alliances and partnerships in favour of PSB.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants agreed that PSB should be encouraged and further developed in all countries of the region as an important element of society and of citizen participation in the public life and sustainable democratic development. It should first and foremost provide a service to the entire population, in particular balanced and impartial information needed for independent and informed decision making; therefore, its functional autonomy must be guaranteed by law.
The participants called on UNESCO, together with professional organizations and other international bodies, to cooperate with the relevant authorities by providing advice, assistance and technical expertise related to PSB.
The Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), Article XIX, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the World Radio and Television Council (WRTVC) were also represented.
The main objectives of the workshop were to share experiences and expertise, to promote the concept of public service broadcasting (PSB), to study the legislative framework for the establishment and operation of PSB, to underscore the cultural and educational functions of these broadcasters and to promote strategic alliances and partnerships in favour of PSB.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants agreed that PSB should be encouraged and further developed in all countries of the region as an important element of society and of citizen participation in the public life and sustainable democratic development. It should first and foremost provide a service to the entire population, in particular balanced and impartial information needed for independent and informed decision making; therefore, its functional autonomy must be guaranteed by law.
The participants called on UNESCO, together with professional organizations and other international bodies, to cooperate with the relevant authorities by providing advice, assistance and technical expertise related to PSB.
Related themes/countries
· Freedom of Expression: News Archives 2003
· Public Service Broadcasting: News Archives 2003
· Media Laws: News Archives 2003
· Jordan: News Archives 2003
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