(AMARC/IFEX) – The following is a 5 May 2008 AMARC press release: Montréal, 5 May 2008 AMARC salutes the Maputo Declaration for 2008 World Press Freedom Day The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters saluted as a valuable contribution to the recognition of community media sector worldwide by reluctant governments, the adoption of the “Maputo […]
(AMARC/IFEX) – The following is a 5 May 2008 AMARC press release:
Montréal, 5 May 2008
AMARC salutes the Maputo Declaration for 2008 World Press Freedom Day
The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters saluted as a valuable contribution to the recognition of community media sector worldwide by reluctant governments, the adoption of the “Maputo Declaration: Fostering Freedom of Expression, Access to Information and Empowerment of People”.
The Declaration was adopted for the celebration of the World Press Freedom Day, this 3 May 2008 in Maputo, Mozambique by 150 media professionals from around the world. The Declaration emphasizes the importance of freedom of expression and free access to information for participatory democracy as the conclusion of a two-day conference convened by UNESCO entitled “Freedom of Expression, Access to Information and the Empowerment of People”.
AMARC highlights the recognition of the existence of three tiers of broadcasting, including community radio broadcasting emphasizing “the contribution of public service, commercial and community broadcasting to enable all members of society, including underrepresented or marginalized populations, to be heard and take part in decision-making processes.”
The Declaration further calls on member States “To create an environment which promotes the development of all three tiers of broadcasting and, in particular, to improve conditions for the development of community media and for the participation of women within the community media framework.”
For the full text of the Maputo Declaration, see:
http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=26735&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
