14 January 2004
FREE-EXPRESSION EXPERTS CONDEMN GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE
Free-expression experts from the United Nations (UN), Organization of American States (OAS) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have condemned attempts by governments to restrict free expression through mandatory registration and state regulation.
In a joint declaration, the experts say governments should not require journalists to register or obtain licences in order to practice journalism. Accreditation schemes for journalists should only be used for specific occasions and be approved by an independent body, they added.
The experts are UN Special Rapporteur on Free Expression Ambeyi Ligabo, OAS Special Rapporteur on Free Expression Eduardo Bertoni and OSCE Representative on Media Freedom Freimut Duve, who recently ended his term.
The rapporteurs say imposing special registration requirements on print media and broadcasters is unneccessary and prone to abuse. They stress that since the right to free expression under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees everyone the right to "seek, receive and impart information through any medium," attempts to limit access to the practice of journalism are illegitimate.
Since 2000, and with the assistance of ARTICLE 19, the rapporteurs have been issuing joint declarations on challenges facing freedom of expression worldwide.
Read the full declaration here: http://www.cidh.oas.org/Relatoria/English/PressRel03/PRelease9703.htm
See previous declarations here: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/archivereports/49458/
Visit these links:
- UN: http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/i2civfre.htm
- OAS: http://www.cidh.oas.org/Relatoria/default.htm
- OSCE: http://www.osce.org/fom/
- ARTICLE 19: http://www.article19.org
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