So, how can development of independent media be recognised as part of development, and how can it be stimulated? As Larry Kilman argued, “China is a terrible example to hold up as evidence that you don’t need press freedom for development.
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Jeanne Bourgault, President and CEO of Internews stated there there was a “…clear, causal effect between reductions in violent conflict and free media”, as with “economic development, health and free media,” and argued this needs to be more widely-known.
But independent media are as important to development as the most basic services, he argued.īerger picked up on this comment, and asked both the audience and the panel to decide if “…it is fair to say that outside of this panel, the mainstream view of development does not recognise much role for freedom of expression.” All of the panel were in agreement with the proposition, as were all but one member of the packed audience. Larry Kilman, Secretary-General of WAN-IFRA suggested that press freedom is often viewed as subordinate to other, more pressing, concerns such as “health and clean water,” in developing countries. I would invite to speak out, and call for a platform, then we can debate it.” “The forces against press freedom are invisible. Robert Zaal suggested that there was little two-way discourse on press freedom. Then, in a move that was received with laughter and applause from the audience, she broke into song, chanting “Give me freedom, give me fire, give me reason, take me higher” from the World Cup 2010 song, Wavin’ Flag.īerger then moved the discussion onto how others view press freedom. Citizens have equal opportunities, equal choices, and equal access.” She began by stating that “Development is harmony in society, created by equality. Verdiana Sedeh, former Executive Director for Investigative Journalism in Brazil, argued that development was about “…all human beings having equal opportunities to prosper, without compromising the equal opportunities of others.” For her, for sustainable development to occur, “…a free press is essential.”īy far the most popular response to the opening question was given by Naranjargal Khashkuu, Chairperson of Globe International in Mongolia. “She needs information to find best prices. He asked the audience to imagine the daughter of farmer in West Africa. Leon Willems, Chairperson of the Global Forum for Media Development, suggested that the problem, when thinking of development, is that “…we think we can develop people.
Guy Berger, Director of Freedom of Expression and Media Development at UNESCO, chaired the discussion, and began by asking speakers to offer their definition of the term ‘development’. “Without the free-flow of information, I am convinced that reaching the millennium goals will be nearly impossible,” said Robert Zaal, Director-General of Radio Netherlands Worldwide, in a statement that was echoed by others throughout the 90 minute session. If there was one thing all speakers agreed on, it was the crucial role that a free and independent media plays in international development.
The conference’s first plenary session invited nine high level international speakers to discuss the complex relationship between a free press and international development. Callamard was speaking at the World Press Freedom Day conference in Paris.
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