Global media principles launched in Jakarta

Thursday, 24 September 2009

The Jakarta Post

A set of global guidelines on freedom of expression in the media - a key element of democracy - were launched Thursday in Jakarta as part of a UN initiative by the Independent Journalists Association and representatives from international and local NGOs.

In February this year in the English town of Camden, UN officials and experts in international human rights law devised the terms for the principles in conjunction with London-based NGO Article 19.

Since then, the principles have been introduced in many countries worldwide, with Indonesia chosen as the location to launch the initiative for Asia.

Toby Medel, a senior legal counselor with Article 19, presided over the launch at the Hotel Nikko with Bambang Harymurti from Tempo magazine and Agus Sudibyo from the SET Foundation.

The freedom of expression and equal opportunity allow everybody to make their opinion known and are crucial when interpreted by the media.

"I see these *principles* as key elements of universal human rights. Without these freedoms securely in place, it can become easy for the media to stereotype some minorities," Toby said.

Too often, he said, these elements collide in the media, creating dire consequences for the public.

The proper upholding of these rights however will ensure democracy, safeguard human dignity and promote international peace and security, he said.

The challenge faced by the media when interpreting freedom of expression is to ensure hate speech is not allowed to flourish, Toby said. Clear and holding guidelines based on international standards are required to prevent this from occurring.

Everyday prejudices, stereotypes or negative opinions when conveyed in the media to not automatically translate into hate speech, Toby said, but they should be avoided.

"These comments are not hate speech unless they have the inten-tion of spreading hatred or moti-vate people to commit a violent act," he said.

"When someone attacks ideas or views, not an individual, this is not a breach of the Camden principles," Toby said.

The principles apply to public information that leads to attacks on people, he said.

Similarly, articles or information about terrorist ideology cannot be banned.

"But when the articles incite people to commit terrorism, this will be in violation of the Camden Principles," he said.

The 12 principles cover four broad topics including legal protection for equality, freedom of expression and the right to be heard.(The Jakarta Post)