Event
Multistakeholder debate on Indigenous Community Media Development within the 22nd session of the UNPFII
In the margins of the 22nd session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), UNESCO, in partnership with the Canadian National Commission for UNESCO, the Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) and Whakaata Māori (Māori Television), is organizing a multistakeholder event on Indigenous Community Media. (18 April 2023 - 1:15 pm - 18 April 2023 - 2:30 pm EST).
UNESCO, in partnership with other stakeholders, will advocate for the development of community media, with a special focus on Indigenous community media.
Efforts will be made to:
Indigenous peoples:
• Promote human rights and freedom of expression and access to information for local communities through the effective functioning of Indigenous community media ;
• Strengthen the voices of Indigenous women and men in media coverage, foster multi-dimensional portrayal of Indigenous Peoples ;
• Promote access to media content and services in Indigenous languages.
Indigenous community media organizations:
• Facilitate fair allocation of frequency for small and medium size Indigenous media organizations ;
• Build capacities for editorial independence, professional and ethical standards, programming, producing and disseminating media content, and for improved media management practices ;
• Encourage establishment of self-governing and self-regulating mechanisms in Indigenous community media organizations in order to ensure greater transparency and accountability to the communities their represent ;
• Facilitate the creation of networks and cooperation among Indigenous community media organizations.
Member States:
• Help develop Indigenous community media, so that they can operate with legal recognition and provisions ;
• Provide advisory services and capacity-building to ensure media represents all social groups, particularly Indigenous peoples ;
• Promote policies and practices that will result in an overall enabling environment for free and independent community media.
Tentative Agenda
13.15 – 13.30 | Introduction: Why community media is important for democracies?
Co-chair: Ms Francine Compton, Associate Director, Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) (Canada/USA)
• Welcoming ceremony by Ms Star Beardy (Canada)
• Ms Elaine Young, Program Officer, Communication and Information, Canadian National Commission for UNESCO
• Mr Francisco Calí Tzay, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
13.35 – 14.20 | Debate: What are the prerequisites for free and independent Indigenous Community Media?
Co-chair: Ms Francine Compton, Associate Director, Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) (Canada/USA)
• Ms Aluki Kotierk, President, Member, UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII)
• Mr Shane Taurima, CEO, Whakaata Māori (Māori Indigenous Television) (New Zealand)
• Mr Emmanuel Boutterin, Chairman, World Association of Community Radio Broadcasting (AMARC International)
• Mr Dev Kumar Sunuwar, Founding Chairperson and Co-founder, Indigenous Television (Nepal)
• Ms Mónica López, Coordinator, Indigenous Radio Huayacocotla (Mexico) - tbc
14.20 – 14.30 | Next steps: How to facilitate Indigenous Community Media?
Co-chair: Ms Irmgarda Kasinskaite-Buddeberg, Advisor for Communication and Information, UNESCO
• Suggestions from speakers and audience for future action
• Closing remark
Partners
