Committee on Information adopts 57 recommendations after considering three sets of proposals.

Committee on Information adopts 57 recommendations after considering three sets of proposals

The Committee on Information on7 July adopted 57 recommendations dealing with various aspects of the establishment of a new world information and communication order and the work of the Department of Public Information (DPI).

The set of recommendations wasadopted by a roll-call vote of 41 in favour to 11 against (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Portugal, United Kingdom, United States), with 5 abstentions (Burundi, Greece, Nigeria, Spain, Turkey). Put forward by the Group of 77 developing countries, they are to be considered in the General Assembly's Special Political Committee later in the year.

Following a long procedural debate,the 69-member Committee, which met at Headquarters from 23 June to 7 July, decided to annex to its report to the Assembly the texts of draft recommendations submitted by a group of Western European and other States and by a group of socialist States of Eastern Europe. The former group comprised Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States, while the latter was composed of Bulgaria, German Democratic Republic, Poland, Ukrainian SSR and USSR. It was agreed that the report would indicate that there had been no agreement on either of the texts, and that the sponsors had not asked that action be taken on them.

Another recommendation wouldhave the Assembly note ongoing efforts of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to contribute to the clarification, elaboration and application of the concept of a new world information order. In that regard, the Assembly would recall consensus resolutions 4/19, 3.1 and 3.1 adopted by UNESCO's General Conference in 1980, 1983 and 1985 respectively.

Committee Chairman WilliSchlegel (German Democratic Republic) told the body that there could be no new world information and communication order unless the peoples' right to seek, receive and impart information was implemented, nor could there be any order unless the right of every human being to educate himself comprehensively and to be informed was put into practice. A new order did not mean curbing the activities of the media or of journalists.

Active participation in the exchangeof information, access to the media and diversity of sources of information remained key elements of the new order to be established. But it was equally true that freedom must not be seen divorced from obligation. Their exercise must be in conformity with the generally recognized norms of international law. Truthfulness and a sense of responsibility were, therefore, indispensable criteria of any information activity. It was necessary to harness the great potential of the mass media in the effort to create an atmosphere of trust between States and peoples. More funds should be allocated to UNESCO's International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC).

Yasushi Akashi, Under-Secretary-Generalfor Public Information, told the Committee that the stringent economy measures taken by the United Nations as a result of its financial crisis had hit DPI hard, compelling it to re-examine its priorities and forcing it to reassess the effectiveness of its programmes and activities. Since public perceptions of the Organization's effectivness were a factor behind the financial crisis, it seemed to him short-sighted to cut information activities at this time. Nevertheless, instead of bemoaning its plight, DPI had endeavoured to turn adversity into a new opportunity for a critical reexamination of its resources in relation to its objectives.

That process had been a painfulone. Everything depended on the choice among competing priorities. In that difficult exercise, DPI had been guided by the Charter and other mandates given by the General Assembly and by the Committee. Where it had made use of its discretionary power, it had done so in the light of the intergovernmental mandates and in full awareness of actual needs and requirements. The current financial constraints had deeply affected the scope of the activities of 69 United Nations information centres. That was to be deplored since an informed understanding among all sectors of public opinion of United Nations activities wasneeded more than ever.

The promotion of the establishmentof a new world information and communication order was part of the mandate given to the Committee. While greater precision and more specifity might be desirable in defining that concept, its basic thrust was very clear and a sufficient amount of consensus existed among Member States concerning the practical action to be taken by the Secretariat to promote the order.

He observed that the Secretariathad sufficient intergovernmental directives to proceed on the basis of the consensus which already existed. Its programme of action would involve, in co-operation with the specialized agencies concerned, assisting developing countries in strengthening their infrastructure in communication and information, including the training of personnel, to develop their mass media. DPI had every intention of making its practical contribution to the new order by continuing its training programme for young journalists and broadcasters from developing countries.

In performing its tasks, DPI had alwaysemphasized objectivity, and had always kept in mind that it should not engage in propaganda. A balanced presentation of facts and data in reporting on United Nations debates and events had been a cornerstone of its coverage activity. Every effort was made to maintain editorial balance and impartiality. DPI strove to reconcile its traditional role of impartial reporting with its more recent task of positive information support for various United Nations causes, for which there might not necessarily be agreement. Harmonizing such requirements was at times extremely difficult.

Recommendations

By one of the recommendationsadopted by the Committee, the Assembly would call for the establishment of a new world information and communication order based on the free circulation and wider and better balanced dissemination of information, guaranteeing the diversity of sources of information and free access to information. The new order would also be based on the urgent need to change the dependent status of developing countries in the information and communication field, and would aim to strengthen peace and international understanding, enabling all persons to participate effectively in political, economic, social and cultural life and promote human rights, understanding and friendship among all nations.

Other Committee recommendationsincluded one appealing to the international media, in order to obtain their support for the efforts of developing countries to achieve economic, social and cultural progress, and to the United Nations system to co-operate in improving the living conditions of people in developing countries. The United Nations system and the developed countries should co-operate with the developing countries towards strengthening the information and communication infrastructures of the latter countries. Stress should be laid on promoting access of developing countries to modern communication technology to improve their information and communications systems.

In view of the existence of structuralimbalances in the international distribution of news, urgent attention should be given to the elimination of all obstacles in the free flow and wider and better balanced dissemination of information, ideas and knowledge. The United Nations system should support UNESCO in the field of information and communication, in recognition of its central role in that field. DPI, particularly, should be asked to co-operate more regularly with UNESCO to promote the latter's efforts to establish a new world informration and communication order.

The United Nations system shouldhelp support developing countries in training journalists and technical personnel, obtaining access to communication technology, and establishing telecommunications links at subregional, regional and interregional levels. DPI should publicize the United Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development 1986-1990. The Department should give the widest possible dissemination of information pertaining to acute world economic problems.

The mass media should not be used"as an instrument of hostility against the sovereignty of other States." DPI should continue adequate coverage of Israeli policies and practices which violated the human rights of populations in Israeli-occupied Arab territories. DPI should disseminate information concerning United Nations decisions dealing with acts of terrorism in all its forms.

Other action

At the proposal of Costa Rica, theCommittee adopted by consensus a statement on the celebration of the International Year of Peace (1986).

By it, the Committee celebrated thesolemn Proclamation of the International Year of Peace adopted by the Assembly (resolution 40/3 of 24 October 1985) and expressed its intention to contribute, within its areas of competence, to the achievement of positive results in the international cooperation aimed at promoting peace during the Year and beyond.

The Committee hoped that thesafeguarding of peace and the future of mankind, which was a primary objective of the United Nations and the main theme of the International Year of Peace, would be fully realized. The Committee emphasized the important influence of information and communication on international relations and international co-operation.

The Committee also decided toannex to its report to the Assembly a draft decision on UNESCO's fortieth anniversary (to be celebrated in Paris on 12 December 1986), without acting on it. The text, submitted by Mongolia, would have the Committee affirm its strong support for UNESCO and request DPI to make broad use of UNESCO's fortieth anniversary for the dissemination of information on the establishment of a new world information and communication order and on the role of the United Nations.

Debate

Debate in the Committee focusedon a new world information and communication order.

Many delegations supported the callfor the establishment of such an order, based, among other things, on the free circulation and wider and better balanced dissemination of information, guaranteeing the diversity of sources of information and free access to information. The new order would also be based on the urgent need to change the dependent status of the developing countries in the information and communication field, and would aim to strengthen peace and international understanding, enabling all persons to participate effectively in political, economic, social and cultural life and promote human rights, understanding and friendship among all nations.

Many delegations stated that thegap in the exchange of information between North and South was widening further, a situation that was aggravated by the rapid technological advances that were taking place. A number of delegations criticized the information monopoly of the industrialized countries, whose news agencies did not reflect the interests nor respect the cultural identities of developing countries. In that respect, the information issue was of key importance and should not be denied its rightful place in the political debate.

In that context, one delegation drewattention to the threat to national sovereignty posed by transborder data flows and mentioned the relevant report of the Committee on Transanational Corporations. Another delegation drew attention to the need to protect infant industries in developing countries, particularly in the field of communication technologies. Several delegations stressed that a new world information and communication order was an important complement to the cause of development and the efforts to attain a new international economic order. Some delegations pointed to their suggestion that a "moratorium" be observed on the question of the definition of a new order. Some delegations emphasized that a new order should be based firmly on the principle established in article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

A number of delegations expressedthe view that the debate on a new order should be set aside so as to allow the Committee to concentrate on practical work with respect to United Nations public information policies and activities. They suggested that objective could be achieved by bringing the Committee's mandate into line with UNESCO's consensus language on a new world information and communication order, seen as an evolving and continuous process. They also emphasized that UNESCO was the appropriate forum to deal substantially with the issue of a new order. The Committee should focus on activities that commanded consensus and refrain from introducing controversial questions.

Those delegations reaffirmed theirsupport for the strengthening of developing countries' information and communication capabilities and for practical training programmes such as those already operating under several international, and under both public and private, auspices throughout the developing world. They also emphasized their wish to improve and facilitate a free flow and better balanced dissemination of information both within and among all countries. One delegation maintained that the very concept of a new order was flawed and that change could only be furthered by voluntary activities aimed at raising the status of journalism, educating journalists and improving the technical means of communication.

A number of delegations, in supportingthe establishment of a new order, emphasized the importance of information in promoting understanding, trust and co-operation among peoples. The mass media had a special responsibility to assist in attaining those objectives as well as in efforts for the prevention of nuclear war and towards disarmament. Some delegations indicated that a new order, based on respect for national sovereignty, would also further the decolonization of information and the democratization of world communications, which would contribute to the achivement of peace. It would also rectify the current situation in which many developing countries continued to be victims of "information imperialism". The new order was not intended to be restrictive but rather to ensure the implementation of United Nations Charter principles in the field of information.

Some delegations criticized certainradio broadcasts aimed at interfering in the internal affairs of States. They also opposed the use of the mass media for the conduct of propaganda campaigns against sovereign States as contrary to Charter principles. A number of delegations strongly urged the elaboration of a document setting out the fundamental principles and norms of a new order, as well as a programme of action to implement them. Some delegations proposed that the United Nations establish international legal norms and principles on the activities of the mass media for the promotion of peace and international understanding.

Financial crisis: The Under-Secretary-Generaltold the Committee that, owing to the financial situation, the Department had been compelled to reduce its output, including fthe production of radio programmes. Under the economy measures endorsed by the General Assembly, funds for outside contractors producing radio programmes had been frozen. The Department was making every effort to maximize the use of limited resources and would continue to conduct discussions on that matter.

One delegfation expressed grave concernwith regard to the financial decisions affecting the caribbean Unit of the Radio and Visual Services Division and urged that they be reversed. The introduction of language programming was of particular significance given recent developments in the region. Existing programming deprived more than half of the region's non-Spanish-speaking population of relevant information on the work of the United Nations, and did not take the region's special characteristics into account.

The Under-Secretary-General affirmedthat the external evaluation of the daily short-wave radio experiment had indicated that a potential audience existed. Short-wave broadcasts, however, had been suspended due to the increase in transmission fees. It was hoped that that suspension would not be permanent. In the meantime, tapes had been distributed and telephone news feeds were being expanded. Several delegations expressed regret at the discontinuation of such broadcasts and hoped that would be resumed as soon as funds became available. DPI should continue discussions with broadcasting organizations, particularly in developing countries, with a view to securing alternative transmission facilities.

Reports: One report reviewed concernedthe second round table on a new world information and communication order (2-7 April, Copenhagen).

The round table was organized inco-operation with UNESCO. Twenty-five participants from 25 countries attended in their personal capacities. Thirteen Member States of the United Nations and members of UNESCO, as well as 19 intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, were represented as observers. The agenda, among other things, dealt with the assessment of practical experiences leading towards a new world information and communication order.