History, Laws, Ethics and Management of Mass Media

Press freedom

Freedom of the press is the freedom of communication

and expression through vehicles including various Organizations for press freedom
electronic media and published materials. While such
freedom mostly implies the absence of interference from • Article 19
an overreaching state, its preservation may be required
• International Freedom of Expression Exchange
through constitutional or other legal protections.
• Canadian Journalists for Free Expression
With respect to governmental information, any • The Committee to Protect Journalists
government may distinguish which materials are • Electronic Frontier Foundation
public or protected from disclosure to the public
• Freedom House
based on classification of information as sensitive,
classified or secret and being otherwise protected • Index on Censorship
from disclosure due to relevance of the information • Internationale Medienhilfe
to protecting the national interest. Many • International Press Institute
governments are also subject to sunshine laws or • OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
freedom of information legislation that are used to • Reporters Without Borders
define the ambit of national interest.
• Student Press Law Center
• World Association of Newspapers
Basic principles and criteria • World Press Freedom Committee
• Worldwide Governance Indicators
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: (Source: Wikipedia)
"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and
expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference, and impart information and
ideas through any media regardless of frontiers"
This philosophy is usually accompanied by legislation ensuring various degrees of freedom of scientific
research (known as scientific freedom), publishing, press and printing the depth to which these laws are
entrenched in a country's legal system can go as far down as its constitution. The concept of freedom of
speech is often covered by the same laws as freedom of the press, thereby giving equal treatment to
spoken and published expression.
Besides legal definitions, some non-governmental organizations use other criteria to judge the level of
press freedom around the world:
• Reporters Without Borders considers the number of journalists murdered, expelled or harassed, and the existence of
a state monopoly on TV and radio, as well as the existence of censorship and self-censorship in the media, and the
overall independence of media as well as the difficulties that foreign reporters may face.

• The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) uses the tools of journalism to help journalists by tracking press freedom
issues through independent research, fact-finding missions, and firsthand contacts in the field, including local
working journalists in countries around the world. CPJ shares information on breaking cases with other press
freedom organizations worldwide through the International Freedom of Expression Exchange, a global e-mail
network. CPJ also tracks journalist deaths and detentions. CPJ staff applies strict criteria for each case; researchers
independently investigate and verify the circumstances behind each death or imprisonment.

• Freedom House likewise studies the more general political and economic environments of each nation in order to
determine whether relationships of dependence exist that limit in practice the level of press freedom that might
exist in theory. So the concept of independence of the press is one closely linked with the concept of press
freedom.

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Freedom house
Freedom House is a international non-governmental organization based in Washington, D.C. that conducts research
and advocacy on its conceptions of democracy, political freedom and human rights. It publishes an annual report
assessing the degree of perceived democratic freedoms in each country, which is used in political science research.

The organization was founded by Wendell Willkie and Eleanor Roosevelt in 1941, and describes itself as "a clear voice for
democracy and freedom around the world." The group states "American leadership in international affairs is essential to
the cause of human rights and freedom" and that this can primarily be achieved through the group's "analysis, advocacy,
and action".

Freedom House report on press freedom

5 major criteria for evaluation press freedom in each country:

a) Legal provisions
b) Government ownership in media
c) Political domination
d) Economic pressure on news
e) Violence against media and media professionals
Freedom House gives full press freedom reports between every five years. Latest 2005 report 17% global
population are in free media society, 38% in partly free society and 45% are in not free media society

In Asian continent:
• Free- Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Mauritius
• Partly Free – India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Mongolia
• Not Free – China, Russia, former soviet states, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Afghanistan,
Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Arabian nations .
Freedom of the Press is a yearly report by US-based non-governmental organization Freedom House, measuring the
level of freedom and editorial independence enjoyed by the press in every nation and significant disputed territories
around the world. Levels of freedom are scored on a scale from 1 (most free) to 100 (least free). Depending on the
ratings, the nations are then classified as "Free", "Partly Free", or "Not Free".

Freedom House's 2010 survey, concerning the state of world freedom in 2009, which correlates highly with
other measures of democracy some of these estimates are disputed.

Free (89)

Partly Free (62)

Not Free (42)

In The World

France, Sweden, US, UK are in free.

Asia

Free- Japan, New Zealand, Palau, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Australia, Taiwan, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu,
Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands, South Korea

Partly free– Nepal*, India*, Maldives*. Hong Kong, Philippiness, Mongolia, Indonesia, Thailand, Tongs, Timor-Leste,
Fiji

Not free– China, Bhutan*, Afghanistan*, Pakistan*, Sri Lanka*, Bangladesh*, Combodia, Malaysia, Singapore, North
Korea, Vietnam, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar

(SAARC countries *)

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International Press Institute (IPI)

International Press Institute (IPI) is a global organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of press
freedom and the improvement of journalism practices. Founded in October 1950, the IPI has members in over 120
countries.
IPI's membership is made up of editors and media executiveas working for some of the world's most respected media
outlets. IPI has also established a new membership category: "IPI Leading Journalists" which is open to heads of media
departments, bureau chiefs, correspondents and others.
In several countries, including Nepal and Azerbaijan, IPI members have established National Committees that support
IPI in its work to improve the situation for media. IPI has an affiliate called the South East Europe Media Organisation
(SEEMO), which monitors media freedom in southeast Europe and facilitates journalism exchanges and workshops.
IPI enjoys consultative status with the UN, UNESCO and the Council of Europe. IPI is a member of the International
Freedom of Expression Exchange, a global network of non-governmental organizations that monitors press freedom and
free expression violations worldwide. It is also a member of the Tunisia Monitoring Group, a coalition of 16 free
expression organizations that lobbies the Tunisian government to improve its human rights record.
In October 2006, the U.S. National Television Academy (NTA) honored IPI with an International Emmy Award for its
press freedom work.
IPI monitors press freedom around the world and responds to threats and attacks on journalists and media outlets by
sending protest letters to governments and inter-governmental organizations. These threats are often brought to IPI's
attention by its members, many of whom experience such difficulties first-hand while carrying out their profession. IPI
leads missions to countries where press freedom is under threat, meeting with government officials, diplomats,
journalists and non-governmental organizations, and providing legal representation and support in court cases.
IPI undertakes extensive research on issues relevant to the media and circulates several publications on press freedom,
including the quarterly magazine IPI Global Journalist. IPI regularly scrutinizes new media laws and provides
governments with recommendations on how to bring their legislation in line with internationally accepted standards on
freedom of expression. IPI also monitors journalists killed worldwide. Since 1997, it has kept a Death Watch of media
casualties. Each year, IPI publishes an authoritative report on media violations around the world: The World Press
Freedom Review.

Established in 1996, the IPI Free Media Pioneer Award honors individuals or organizations that fight against
great odds to ensure freer and more independent media in their country or region. The award is co-
sponsored by the US-based Freedom Forum, a non-partisan, international foundation dedicated to free press
and free speech.
According to International Press Institute (IPI),
- From the beginning of the new millennium (2001 – 2008) total 575 media persons have been killed
- highest number of the victims – 100 in 2006, lowest 54 in 2002
- According to IPI Report, total 66 media persons were killed around the world in 2008
Highest killing - Iraq - 14
Second - Pakistan- 6
Third - India, Philippines and Mexico - 5 each

ARTICLE 19
ARTICLE 19 is a London-based human rights organization with a specific mandate and focus on the defense and
promotion of freedom of expression and freedom of information worldwide. The organization takes its name from Article
19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states:
"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; the right includes freedom to hold opinions without
interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers."
ARTICLE 19 monitors threats to free expression around the globe, lobbies governments to adopt laws that conform to
international standards on freedom of expression; and drafts legal standards which strengthen media, public
broadcasting, free expression and access to government-held information.
It also produces legal analysis and critiques of national laws, including media laws; provides legal counsel on behalf of
individuals or groups whose rights have been violated; and provides capacity-building support to non-governmental
organisations, judges and lawyers, journalists, media owners, media lawyers, public officials and parliamentarians.
ARTICLE 19’s work is organised into five Regional Programmes – Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East –
and a Law Programme. It works in partnership with 52 organisations in more than 30 countries around the world.
In June 2005, ARTICLE 19 joined human rights groups around the world in calling for the release of jailed Burmese
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who turned 60.
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ARTICLE 19 is a founding member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), a global network of non-
governmental organisations that monitors free expression violations worldwide. It is also a member of the Tunisia
Monitoring Group, a coalition of 16 free expression organisations that lobbies the Tunisian government to improve its
human rights record.
ARTICLE 19 is a founding member of the Freedom of Information Advocates (FOIA) Network, a global forum that aims to
support campaigning, advocacy and fundraising on access to information through the exchange of information, ideas and
strategies. The FOIA Network also aims to facilitate the formation of regional or international coalitions to address access
to information issues.
On November 18, 2005, 80,000 supporters joined an ARTICLE 19-led march on the Houses of Parliament with the aim of
defeating several bills and Acts which would restrict freedom of expression in order to 'tighten anti-terror laws and
prevent incitement of racial hatred'.
In June 2009, ARTICLE 19 moved to Farringdon Road in London to become part of the Free Word Centre promoting
literature, literacy and free expression.

WINDHOEK DECLARATION
The first regional seminar on press freedom, media independence and pluralism, organized by UNESCO, the United Nations Department of
Public Information and UNDP was held in Windhoek, Namibia from 29 April – 3 May 1991.
We the participants in the United Nations and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Seminar on Promoting
an Independent and Pluralistic African Press, held in Windhoek, Namibia, from 29 April to 3 May 1991. Declare that:
1. Consistent with article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the establishment, maintenance and fostering o f an
independent, pluralistic and free press is essential to the development and maintenance of democracy in a nation, and for economic
development.
2. By an independent press, we mean a press independent from governmental, political or economic control or from control of materials
and infrastructure essential for the production and dissemination of newspapers, magazines and periodicals.
3. By a pluralistic press, we mean the end of monopolies of any kind and the existence of the greatest possible number of new spapers,
magazines and periodicals reflecting the widest possible range of opinion within the community.
4. The welcome changes that an increasing number of African states are now undergoing towards multi -party democracies provide the
climate in which an independent and pluralistic press can emerge.
5. The world-wide trend towards democracy and freedom of information and expression is a fundamental contribution to the fulfillment of
human aspirations.
6. In Africa today, despite the positive developments in some countries, in many countries journalists, editors and publishers are victims of
repression – they are murdered, arrested, detained and censored, and are restricted by economic and political pressures such as
restrictions on newsprint, licensing systems which restrict the opportunity to publish, visa restrictions which prevent the free movement
of journalists, restrictions on the exchange of news and information, and limitations on the circulation of newspapers within countries
and across national borders. In some countries, one-party states control the totality of information.
7. Today, at least 17 journalists, editors or publishers are in African prisons, and 48 African journalists were killed in the e xercise of their
profession between 1969 and 1990.
8. The General Assembly of the United Nations should include in the agenda of its next session an item on the declaration of censorship as
a grave violation of human rights falling within the purview of the Commission on Human Rights.
9. African states should be encouraged to provide constitutional guarantees of freedom of the press and freedom of association.
10. To encourage and consolidate the positive changes taking place in Africa, and to counter the negative ones, the international community
– specifically, international organizations (governmental as well as non-governmental), development agencies and professional
associations – should as a matter of priority direct funding support towards the development and establishment of non-governmental
newspapers, magazines and periodicals that reflect the society as a whole and the different points of view within the communities they
serve.
11. All funding should aim to encourage pluralism as well as independence. As a consequence, the public media should be funded only
where authorities guarantee a constitutional and effective freedom of information and expression and the independence of the press.
12. To assist in the preservation of the freedoms enumerated above, the establishment of truly independent, representative associ ations,
syndicates or trade unions of journalists, and associations of editors and publishers, is a matter of priority in all the countries of Africa
where such bodies do not now exist.
13. The national media and labor relations laws of African countries should be drafted in such a way as to ensure that such representative
associations can exist and fulfill their important tasks in defense of press freedom.
14. As a sign of good faith, African governments that have jailed journalists for their professional activities should free them immediately.
Journalists who have had to leave their countries should be free to return to resume their professional activities.
15. Cooperation between publishers within Africa, and between publishers of the North and South (for example through the principle of
twinning), should be encouraged and supported.
16. As a matter of urgency, the United Nations and UNESCO, and particularly the International Program for the Development of
Communication (IPDC), should initiate detailed research, in cooperation with governmental (especially UNDP) and non-governmental
donor agencies, relevant non-governmental organizations and professional associations, into the following specific areas:
a. identification of economic barriers to the establishment of news media outlets, including restrictive import duties, tariffs and quotas for
such things as newsprint, printing equipment, and typesetting and word processing machinery, and taxes on the sale of newspapers, as
a prelude to their removal;
b. training of journalists and managers and the availability of professional training institutions and courses;
c. legal barriers to the recognition and effective operation of trade unions or associations of journalists, editors and publishers;
d. a register of available funding from development and other agencies, the conditions attaching to the release of such funds, a nd the
methods of applying for them;
e. the state of press freedom, country by country, in Africa.
17. In view of the importance of radio and television in the field of news and information, the United Nations and UNESCO are invited to
recommend to the General Assembly and the General Conference the convening of a similar seminar of journalists and managers of
radio and television services in Africa, to explore the possibility of applying similar concepts of independence and pluralis m to those
media.

18. The international community should contribute to the achievement and implementation of the initiatives and projects set out in the
Annex to this Declaration.

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19. This Declaration should be presented by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to the United Nations General Assembly, and by
the Director-General of UNESCO to the General Conference of UNESCO.