International Broadcasters: ‘Lift Restrictions on Freedom of the Press Worldwide’

Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War, the directors from Voice of America, BBC World Service, Deutsche Welle, Radio France Internationale and Radio Netherlands Worldwide are bringing attention to the fact that freedom of opinion still isn’t a reality in many countries. Journalists are being prevented from independent reporting by highly-developed restrictions. Using these themes as a backdrop at their yearly conference, the leaders of the five largest international broadcasters from the Western world called for governments around the world to lift restrictions on freedom of the press. In Berlin, they appealed for the unrestricted implementation of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which gives everyone “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.”

The directors stated that the status of a democracy can be identified by which degree the freedom of opinion, information and the press are guaranteed, as these are essential for dialogue between cultures and the exchange of opinions and ideas.

They pointed out that in the past few years the media, and particularly international media, were subjected again and again to restrictions during the period leading to elections. This includes the disruption of radio broadcasts, Internet censorship and the intimidation and prosecution of journalists. The directors stated that this applies especially to Afghanistan, Burma and Iran.

Nevertheless, brave people around the world are fighting for their right of freedom of opinion. “We are impressed by the resourcefulness and the perseverance that individuals are exhibiting around the globe by using digital media to communicate across borders,” said Deutsche Welle Director General Erik Bettermann, currently the Chairman of the group of directors. “It marks the beginning of a new era in communication. One that allows for eyewitness reports from events to be produced and published, often with additional audio-visual material – even though the government would like to keep such reports quiet. International broadcasters can profit from that as well.”

Several nations have extended their restrictions beyond radio to include Internet and new media, in order to decrease access to information even further.

Authoritarian nations that don’t have the required resources to block or disable new media have reverted to traditional methods of repression and intimidation – like expensive legal proceedings, long-term imprisonment and confiscation of property – to suppress the flow of independent news. According to Reporters Without Borders, journalist is still one of the most dangerous professions.

“This reinforces our determination to intensify our actions for a global, civil society. One in which the free flow of information and dialogue between cultures is possible,” said Bettermann.

Even when the use of multimedia technology has become an essential part of everyday life for many, the directors said “we can’t ignore the fact that only one-third of people around the world have access to independent information. In addition, the global financial crisis has made the situation worse for many media institutions – especially for small, independent radio stations.”