(WAN/IFEX) – The following statement was released by WAN on 30 April 1998: Efforts to revive a “New World Information Order” at the United Nations will fail because the concept that would put control of the world’s information flow in the hands of governments is “dead”, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has declared. In an […]
(WAN/IFEX) – The following statement was released by WAN on 30 April 1998:
Efforts to revive a “New World Information Order” at the United Nations
will fail because the concept that would put control of the world’s
information flow in the hands of governments is “dead”, UN Secretary
General Kofi Annan has declared.
In an exclusive interview with the World Association of Newspapers (WAN)
for World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, Mr Annan allayed fears that the
concept, which was originally promoted at UNESCO and ultimately failed,
could be renewed at the United Nations.
“I think that concept, that approach, died a long time ago”, he said.
“There was also quite a bit of misunderstanding regarding the whole concept.
But as far as I’m concerned the concept is dead and there is no desire or
intention to revive the concept and run with it.”
His remarks came in response to a question posed by a delegation from WAN,
which expressed its concern after more than two dozen information ministers
from developing countries requested that the UN discuss establishment of a
“New World Information and Communication Order.”
UNESCO had abandoned discussion of such a concept nearly a decade ago after
the United States and Britain quit the UN agency in protest. But some
Non-Aligned nations, including Iran and Indonesia, recently raised the issue
again and called for discussions.
“I don’t think we need to worry about a revival of the New World Information
Order”, Mr Annan said.
During the interview, the Secretary General assured WAN that he believed the
world media plays a central role in promoting freedom and a global exchange
of information and was a prerequisite for democracy and peace.
“We have also maintained that a knowledgeable citizen is the best investment
one can have against tyranny and abuse of power”, he said.
The interview was conducted on 14 April 1998, and released to 15,000
newspapers for publication for World Press Freedom Day on 3 May. The text of
the interview is part of a package of essays, interviews, public service
advertisements and graphics produced by WAN to commemorate the day.
The full text of Mr Annan’s interview, as well as the rest of the World
Press Freedom Day package, is available on the WAN web site at www.fiej.org.
WAN, the global association of the newspaper industry, represents more than
15,000 newspapers in over 90 countries.
