World Broadcasters present Annan with declaration pledging spread of information

The world's leading radio and television broadcasters today conveyed to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan their commitment to such fundamental values as freedom of expression, access to information, media pluralism and cultural diversity.

The Broadcasters' Declaration by the World Broadcasting Unions (WBU), a coordinating body for regional broadcasting associations, was presented to the Secretary-General on the opening day of the World Electronic Media Forum (WEMF) in Geneva.

Mr. Annan was asked to transmit the Declaration to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), which begins Wednesday and under his high patronage brings together Heads of State and government in a bid to address the challenge of using information and communications technologies (ICT) towards fighting global problems such as illiteracy and poverty.

The Forum itself runs through Friday and comprises several panels, workshops and keynote speeches by top broadcasting executives and government officials who will explore the enhanced role of the media in the information society, and examine key topics such as universal access to information, freedom of expression, cultural diversity, economic development, social cohesion and education.

The Forum, organized by the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) in cooperation with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Switzerland, can be seen live by satellite around the world and includes real-time contributions from several continents by television and over the Internet.

Speaking at the outset of the Forum's opening session, Shashi Tharoor, UN Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, noted that the Declaration was an opportunity for media leaders "to get their message through to the Summit itself."

Echoing that thought, EBU President Arne Wessberg told the audience the Declaration reinforced the notion that "a free and independent media were essential" to democracy and that it reflected the collective view of the world's public and private broadcasters which should be communicated to the world leaders participating in the Summit.

According to the Declaration, communications technology is not an end in itself but rather a vehicle for the provision of information and content. It also stresses the importance of respecting and promoting the freedom of expression as well as the freedom and pluralism of the media, which should be the underpinnings of the media system and the information society as a whole.

The text states that the electronic media have a vital role to play in the information society, which it says "refers to the importance of information and content for the public."

The Declaration also notes that television and radio are "crucial for ensuring social cohesion and development in the digital world," and that information should remain accessible and affordable to everyone.